France
Is democracy still possible in wartime ?Le Monde dedicated a few articles highlighting democratic processes in Ukraine. One article tells of a scene in Odesa, for example, where people gathered outside the city council criticising the city’s reconstruction policy. According to a representative of Odesa’s opposition, criticism is part of a democratic debate, and also the result of war fatigue: “But,” he added, “we’re talking about a need for inclusion, not defeatism. Only a small part of the population no longer wants war,” affirming that a majority of Ukrainians support the government in the war effort and decision to not negotiate with Russia. (Le Monde) Another article in the same newspaper tackles a different level of democratic proof, which involves the efforts made by Ukraine to answer EU requirements to start membership negotiations. Views of civil organisations are presented in the article, which consider one recent law about fiscal inspections of political figures in Ukraine as the last step to fulfil the EU’s criteria before negotiations. (Le Monde) Despite sanctions against Russia, European companies are still allowed to buy “critical material”, like titanium or nickel, from Russia. This is the case of Airbus, France’s largest aircraft building company. Disclose, an investigative online media, published this week that: “on 14 March 2023, Airbus purchased $22.8 million worth of Russian titanium (...). This is four times more than in the previous 13 months." Besides the fact that France and Europe depend on Russia’s mines, the article explains that companies who sell these critical metals are linked, if not owned, by oligarchs who are targeted by international sanctions. (Disclose) Two Ukrainian wedding photographers who turned into war reporters, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine, have their works on display at an exhibition in Bayeux until 12 November, on the occasion of Prix Bayeux Normandie-Calvados. They have talked about their work and life in a portrait in the newspaper 20 minutes. (20 Minutes) |