Hopes and fears over CETA, May continues her European tour but there is trouble back home and a worldwide protest about Ukraine makes its mark in Europe.
ADVERTISEMENTWhile the German Constitutional Court gave the green light on Thursday for the country’s government to approve an ambitious trade accord between the European Union and Canada, this is not the case in the French-speaking region of Belgium. The Wallonian Parliament backed a motion to prevent the country signing up to CETA and a vote is planned. Although Belgium’s federal government favours the Trade Agreement with Canada, the Prime Minister needs to get the consent of all three regions of the country.
British Prime Minister Theresa May continues her European tour in order to speak with her partners about the divorce with the EU – but she has some trouble back home. The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon plans to hold a new referendum asking Scottish citizens once more if they want to stay in the UK or not.
The previous referendum in 2014 took place after Westminster gave the green light and this is likely to be the case again.
Later today, several European cities will take part in a worldwide protest organised by the StopPutinsWar campaign in Ukraine. Their demands are already included in the Minsk Agreement, which was signed in February 2015 but has never been implemented. They want all Russian forces withdrawn from Ukraine, the observation mission strengthened in the field and the release of all Ukrainians who are held in custody both in Russia and Crimea for political reasons.