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Denmark and Sweden agree on joint Baltic defence cooperation

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The Danish and Swedish Defence Ministers, Troels Lund Poulsen and Pål Jonson, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday in which the two countries agreed to strengthen their defence cooperation, including joint procurement of military equipment and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.

The closer defence cooperation was agreed in a memorandum of understanding during an official visit to Stockholm on Tuesday.

The document states that the cooperation agreement ‘will remain within the framework of NATO, the EU and the Nordic Defence Cooperation, NORDEFCO, and will be supported by regular bilateral consultations’.

Under the agreement, Copenhagen and Stockholm will ‘explore’ the joint procurement of military vehicles used by both armies, such as CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.

Specifically, Denmark and Sweden will coordinate the purchase of equipment whenever possible,’ the Danish Ministry of Defence said in a press release. This cooperation could possibly include the purchase of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IKK), which are used by both Sweden and Denmark,’ the Danish Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

Sweden and Denmark have agreed to donate CV90 vehicles to Ukraine in 2023, while both armies need to replenish their own stocks.

Both Sweden and Denmark have donated Stridsfordon 90 (CV 90) vehicles to Ukraine, and we share the view that continued support for Ukraine is vital,” the Swedish defence minister said.

According to the Danish Defence Minister, this cooperation became even more natural when Sweden joined NATO and both countries pledged to work together for the security of the Baltic region.

For example, Sweden and Denmark will expand air policing cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, based on agreements on access to each other’s airspace and bases for the benefit of NATO allies, including the security of the Danish island of Bornholm and the strategic Swedish island of Gotland.

In addition, as Sweden is currently considering sending a battalion to Latvia, the document proposes that both countries contribute a battalion or battle group to the Canadian-led presence in Ādaži, Latvia, on a rotational basis after the Swedish parliament votes on the issue.

“In this way, Denmark and Sweden will be able to work together on a rotational basis, starting from Denmark’s Camp Valdemar in Ādaži,” the Danish Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

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Netherlands to introduce border controls starting December 9

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The Dutch Ministry of Migration has announced that border controls will be introduced along land borders with other EU Schengen area countries and on certain flights within the Schengen zone starting December 9.

These six-month border controls are part of a broader immigration policy shift proposed by the right-wing coalition led by Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV), known for its anti-immigration stance.

Migration Minister Marjolein Faber introduced the policy through an official press release following its approval by the Council of Ministers. Faber, representing the PVV, stated, “It is time to take concrete action against irregular migration and people smuggling. That is why we will reintroduce border controls in the Netherlands starting in December.”

The border control measures will officially take effect on December 9. The Netherlands asserts that this decision complies with EU law, which requires member states to notify Brussels at least four weeks in advance when intending to restrict freedom of movement.

Earlier this year, Faber indicated to Brussels that the Netherlands also sought to opt-out of EU refugee obligations.

Geert Wilders, who led the PVV to victory in last year’s elections, celebrated this move on social media, emphasizing that the PVV has kept its promise. Wilders has long advocated for closing the Dutch borders to curb migration and strengthen national security.

Faber did not disclose specific details on how these border controls will be implemented. The plan does not allocate additional funding to the national police for these duties; instead, the six-month controls will rely on existing resources. Faber noted that the border checks should be conducted in a way that minimizes traffic disruption.

The Netherlands shares extensive land borders with Germany and Belgium, where police currently conduct spot checks. Last month, Germany implemented similar border checks with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the Netherlands, citing concerns over extremist threats.

Both Germany and the Netherlands are part of the Schengen area, a border-free travel zone that includes most EU states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Under EU law, member states are permitted to temporarily reintroduce border controls in cases of serious security threats. However, the EU guidelines specify that such measures should be a last resort and strictly time-limited.

Following recent incidents involving Israeli football hooligans and Arab and Muslim communities in Amsterdam, the PVV and Wilders called for the deportation of migrants involved, asserting that irregular migration contributes to increased anti-Semitism.

‘Pogrom’ or ‘Zionist provocation’: What happened in Amsterdam?

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Agreement reached in Germany: Early elections scheduled for 23 February

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), along with opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), have agreed to hold early federal elections on 23 February.

To initiate the election process, Chancellor Scholz must first call for a vote of no confidence in the lower house of parliament. This vote is expected to take place in early December. If the chancellor loses the vote, he can request that the German president dissolve parliament and schedule elections within 60 days.

Germany, Europe’s largest economy, was thrown into political uncertainty last week after Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party (FDP). This decision led to the collapse of the ruling coalition following a dispute over borrowing to bolster military support for Ukraine.

Initially, Scholz had proposed a no-confidence vote in January, with elections to follow “at the end of March.” However, representatives from the business community and members of the main opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), pushed for an earlier date. They argued that elections in March would prolong the nation’s uncertainty and that a February vote would help restore political stability.

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Scholz negotiates early elections

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has indicated his willingness to negotiate an earlier election date in exchange for opposition support on key legislation that could enable elections sooner than anticipated.

This represents a notable departure from Scholz’s previous statement on Wednesday, 6 November, when he announced plans to call a no-confidence vote on 15 January to ensure elections “by the end of March” after the coalition government dissolved.

On Friday, 8 November, Scholz emphasized that the democratic parties in the Bundestag should collaborate to determine which laws could be enacted by the end of the year.

“In light of a potential early election date, this agreement could clarify when it would be appropriate to initiate a vote of no confidence in the Bundestag,” Scholz stated at an informal EU summit in Budapest.

The Chancellor also stressed the need for a measured, calm approach to setting an election date. However, CDU leader Friedrich Merz reported that Scholz had resisted calls for an immediate vote of confidence during their Thursday meeting.

While constitutional law does not compel Scholz to call a vote of no confidence before the scheduled election date of 28 September 2025, the minority government’s ability to pass critical legislation is contingent on opposition votes.

Scholz declined to specify whether there are particular legislative priorities that would prompt him to advocate for early elections.

Following Scholz’s statement, Germany’s Federal Electoral Office issued a caution against early elections. Its head, Ruth Brand, warned that setting “dates and deadlines” around Christmas or New Year’s Eve would make essential election preparations “nearly impossible.”

By law, any snap election must occur within 60 days of the dissolution of parliament or 21 days after a vote of no confidence.

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