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Euronews
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Why nuclear energy is making a comeback across Europe
Several countries across Europe are pivoting or have made U-turns over the use of nuclear power, as governments seek greater energy security. Belgium was in the spotlight earlier this month when its parliament voted to repeal a 2003 law that stipulated the gradual phaseout of nuclear energy. The motion it adopted on 15 May allows for the possibility of reviving the country's atomic industry in the future, including building new power stations. Belgium's original plan to phase out its seven nuclear reactors by 2025 was pushed back by a decade in 2022 due to energy uncertainty caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The current conservative-led coalition government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, came into power in February, and decided that the shift was necessary to meet its energy challenges. "We know that it's a low-carbon energy source, which means we can meet our European climate targets, but it's also an abundant energy source," said Belgium's Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet. "We have three objectives that are shared by our European partners. They are security of supply, a controlled price and low-carbon energy. And nuclear power meets all three criteria," he added. Belgium is far from alone — other EU member states such as Germany, Denmark, and Italy are reconsidering their stances on nuclear power. "I think it's obviously due to the current situation, with enormous geopolitical uncertainty and dependence on gas, which is still very strong," said Adel El Gammal, professor of energy geopolitics at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). "So, quite naturally, anything we can do to make ourselves more independent of gas, we have to do. Nuclear power is one way," El Gammal, who is also secretary general of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), told Euronews in an interview. The EU has around 100 nuclear reactors in 12 countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden). Almost a quarter of the electricity produced in the EU comes from nuclear power, according to the latest data from Eurostat. Nuclear plants release few pollutants into the air, which have made them an option as nations around the world seek clean energy to meet climate change targets. However, their construction and demolition produce large amounts of greenhouse gases. Opponents have for decades cited the challenges involved with processing long-lived radioactive waste to lobby against new plants. Climate activists also say that relying on nuclear power risks slowing the rollout of renewable energy sources. Germany in 2011 committed to phasing out nuclear power, thereby reinforcing its status as the leading voice of the anti-nuclear movement within the EU. This was achieved in April 2023 with the closure of the country's last three power stations. During the German election campaign at the start of this year, then-candidate and now Chancellor Friedrich Merz, had promised to look into reviving the sector. While Merz said in January that reopening the country's nuclear plants would "most likely not be feasible", his campaign vow marked a significant ideological shift in the German political landscape. Just last week, Merz's government indicated it would stop blocking efforts to treat nuclear power on par with renewables in EU legislation, the Financial Times reported. Italy is also considering reintroducing nuclear power.** At the end of the 1980s, Rome decided to put an end to nuclear power. But Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has set 2030 as the target date for returning to nuclear power, according to the country's energy security minister. The coalition government argues that this resource will help to ensure the country's energy security and achieve the environmental objectives of decarbonisation. For similar reasons, coal-dependent Poland has embarked on a vast nuclear programme. Warsaw decided in 2022 to build its first power station, with the first reactor scheduled to be operational from 2033. Earlier this month, EU renewables darling Denmark said it was considering lifting a 40-year-old ban on nuclear energy, and that it would analyse the potential benefits of a new generation of nuclear power technologies. And just last week, Sweden passed a law to fund a new generation of nuclear reactors. Meanwhile, in Spain, the government is under pressure to reconsider phasing out nuclear power following the giant blackout that hit the country at the end of April. El Gammal of the EERA suggested two strategies for a return to nuclear power, which are not exclusive but very different in their development. "The first is to extend existing facilities as far as possible. And here, I would say that if it can be done under well-established safety conditions, it should be done as far as possible. It's a no-brainer," he explained. "On the other hand, relaunching a new nuclear industry or relaunching the construction of new reactors is much more complicated, because first of all, the budgets involved are extremely large," El Gammal added. "Then there's the time it takes to build a power station. It takes around ten years." "Given the urgent need for strategic autonomy and climate change, this is a major problem", he said. All the more so as "renewable energies are coming on stream much more quickly". Building an atomic energy industry means taking a long-term view, and anticipating the cost of different energy resources over an extended period of time. However, as El Gammal pointed out, renewable energies are based on a logic of decreasing costs and increasing technology, "whereas in mature technologies, such as nuclear power, the costs are highly dependent on raw materials, i.e. cement, steel, in other words, raw materials whose cost is tending to increase." But nuclear and renewables are not contradictory strategies; they can go hand-in-hand, he stressed. To try and bring certainty to the industry, Belgium's energy minister Bihet suggested setting up joint projects and multi-state investments, which he said "will bring down costs and also stabilise investment to give companies confidence".
LeMonde
21-05-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Brussels has been without a government for nearly a year
Letter from the Benelux The Belgian political system, complex and almost incomprehensible to the average person, survives, but at what cost? In 2010-2011, it produced the longest political crisis in contemporary history, with 541 days without a fully functioning federal government. In February, it saw Bart De Wever, until then the leader of a pro-independence party (N-VA), become the prime minister of a country whose breakup he had previously advocated. This time, it is the Brussels-Capital Region and its 19 individual municipalities that have been experiencing a strange situation – "the worst of politics," as a political scientist tells us. Since the regional elections on June 9, 2024, the heart of the kingdom has been without a government and seems destined for a lasting deadlock, forcing the former ministerial team to manage day-to-day affairs. The delay all boils down to the presence of the N-VA in the next government... despite it holding only two out of the 89 seats in the capital's regional assembly. This issue has divided negotiators and completely paralyzed the region, exacerbating its budgetary difficulties, preventing any decision-making, and depriving various social and cultural organizations of their subsidies, prompting them to call for help.
Globe and Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Seizing almost €200-billion in Russian state assets at Euroclear could trigger ugly repercussions
Financial services companies flourish when they build trust among investors and clients; they die a slow (or sometimes even quick) death when they do not. When confidence evaporates in a bank, for instance, a run on deposits can shatter the business virtually overnight. One of the biggest financial services players, Euroclear, has the confidence of not just its home country, Belgium, but the whole world. Or at least did. One client in particular – the Russian state – is seething mad. Moscow fears that the €195-billion ($305-billion) of sanctioned assets held in custody at Euroclear are vulnerable to 'theft,' as Western governments come under pressure to seize the funds to pay for Ukraine's reconstruction when the war ends. That scenario could unfold, opening a Pandora's Box of lawsuits that could damage Euroclear, make a mockery of its mission to 'safekeep your investments' and possibly destabilize the European economy and beyond. In March, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told reporters that confiscating the Russian assets would amount to 'an act of war' that would ensure massive retaliation by the Kremlin and pose 'systemic risk to the entire financial world system.' He may be right. So beware what you ask for, Western leaders. Euroclear calls itself a financial markets 'infrastructure' company. In simple terms, that means it is a depository of securities – the world's biggest, in fact – and provides transaction settlements for everything from bonds and equities to funds and derivatives. At last count, it held €41-trillion in assets – equivalent to more than a third of global GDP – had 2,400 clients and handled some 300 million transactions a year. On Wednesday, it reported record first-quarter business income of €466-million, up 10 per cent over the same quarter a year earlier, and a net profit of €283-million. Russian foreign reserves began to funnel into Euroclear in 2012. Its central bank lost control of many assets it stashed at Euroclear and other depositories after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 triggered a barrage of sanctions. About €300-billion was immobilized in Western countries, almost two-thirds of which is held by Euroclear. While the Russian assets themselves remain frozen, for the moment anyway, the profits made on them are not. Under European Union law, those profits are siphoned off and used to help Ukraine. In the first three months of this year alone, the interest on the cash balances of the sanctioned Russian assets came to €1.5-billion. In 2024 alone, Euroclear delivered €3.5-billion of the 'windfall' profits to the European Fund for Ukraine (The World Bank earlier this year estimated that Ukraine will need €506-billion over a decade to piece itself back together). Next up might be the underlying assets themselves. If those assets are seized and handed to Ukraine, the consequences could be ugly. The EU's most senior diplomat, Kaja Kallas, supports using the assets, as do the foreign ministers of Poland and Lithuania. Britain and Sweden are in broadly in favour. French lawmakers have backed a non-binding resolution calling for the EU to seize the assets. But Germany, Italy and Belgium oppose the idea. The idea of seizing foreign sovereign assets is enveloped in grey legal mist. Those assets are probably immune from both international- and domestic-law jurisdictions unless such seizures are labelled countermeasures – that is, made in response to breach of international law by Russia itself. But some law professors think a government decree or a new EU regulation might allow seizures to happen. Euroclear itself is terrified of the scenario. 'We cannot end up in a situation where assets are confiscated and then a few years later Russia comes and demands them back, when the assets are no longer there,' Euroclear chief executive officer Valerie Urbain said in a Bloomberg interview last year. 'If assets are confiscated, then liabilities must also be transferred.' The legally dubious nature of seizing the assets is one big risk. There are others. The Russian state could wallop Euroclear with lawsuits; already, the owners of the €70-billion in private Russian assets held by the company are suing for compensation. In its earnings statement, Euroclear said 'the probability of unfavourable rulings in Russian courts is high since Russia does not recognize the international sanctions.' The seizure of the assets could trigger a wave of withdrawals – a bank run, in effect – that could cripple Euroclear. The precedent of nabbing sovereign assets could encourage raids on the assets of other countries that misbehave in some way, like launching wars of aggression or being found guilty of serial human rights abuses. Should Israeli assets be seized because its total blockade of Gaza since March has left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians 'at critical risk of famine,' as UN-backed food security experts said earlier this month? Mr. De Wever, the Belgian Prime Minister, knows that any seizure of the Russian assets could push Euroclear, Belgium itself and the international financial markets into the house of pain. 'We're not living in a world of fantasy,' he said. 'We're in the real world, where if you take €200-billion from somebody, there will be consequences.'
See - Sada Elbalad
16-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Belgium Reverses Nuclear Phase-Out Plan
Israa Farhan Belgium has officially abandoned its long-standing plan to phase out nuclear energy, following a parliamentary vote on Thursday to repeal a symbolic 2003 law that called for the complete shutdown of the country's nuclear power by 2025. The newly approved legislation removes all references to the nuclear phase-out and lifts the previous ban on constructing new nuclear power facilities in Belgium. It also paves the way for extending the operational life of more reactors, beyond the two that had already been granted a 10-year extension until 2035 under an agreement with French energy firm Engie, the operator of Belgium's nuclear infrastructure. The measure, titled "Various Provisions on Nuclear Energy," passed with a wide majority: 102 votes in favor, eight against, and 31 abstentions. It aligns with the energy strategy of the current government led by conservative Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Energy Minister Mathieu Michel, a vocal supporter of the reform, hailed the decision as a pivotal moment for Belgium's energy policy. He stated that the federal parliament had moved past two decades of indecision and opened the door to a more realistic and flexible energy model. Michel, a member of the liberal party, emphasized that Belgium is now focused on revitalizing an innovative nuclear sector to enhance national energy independence and strengthen the country's climate goals by reducing carbon emissions. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Sky News
13-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Three Belgian soldiers injured in 'shooting incident' during training exercise in Scotland
Three Belgian soldiers have been injured in a "shooting incident" during a training exercise in Scotland. Belgium's defence ministry said two of those hurt are in a stable condition, with one expected to undergo surgery in Scotland before returning to Belgium. The third was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been discharged. A number of other soldiers also suffered hearing damage as a result of the incident on Monday. A spokesperson for the defence ministry said: "On 12 May, during Exercise Red Condor currently taking place in Scotland, three Belgian soldiers were injured. "They received first aid on site and were then transferred to a regional hospital. In addition, around a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage. "Defence authorities have confirmed that the two soldiers who were seriously injured are now in stable condition. "They have already been able to speak with their families. One of them will undergo surgery in Scotland before being repatriated to Belgium. "The third soldier sustained minor injuries and has since returned to the military camp." The incident took place during a planned training exercise. The spokesperson added: "An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances." Last week, it was reported that around 600 Belgian military personnel were in Moray for exercise Red Condor. In a post on X, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his condolences to the injured soldiers and their families. "I have received the sad news that three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland," he wrote.
