Here are the main news highlights for April 2024 in Europe.
POLITICS:
Last April, at least three countries have changed of Prime Minister.
Peter Pelligrini President of Slovakia
A presidential election was held in Slovakia on 6 April 2024. Former Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini was elected as the new Slovakian president. This change of president marks an important turn for the country, which is focusing on modernisation, democracy and national unity.
Dimitar Glavtchev becomes Prime Minister of Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, Dimitar Glavtchev has been appointed Prime Minister, bringing his commitment and experience to the service of his country.
Simon Harris appointed Prime Minister of Ireland
Simon Harris has been appointed Prime Minister of Ireland, becoming Ireland’s youngest Prime Minister (37 yo) and marking the start of a new political era in the country. His arrival announces a strong commitment to progress, inclusion and prosperity for all Irish people.
Bjarni Benediktsson becomes Prime Minister of Iceland
Bjarni Benediktsson has been appointed Prime Minister of Iceland. He brings a bold vision for the future of Iceland, with a focus on stability, economic growth and the well-being of its citizens.
Legislative elections in Croatia
The legislative elections in Croatia resulted in a victory for the coalition led by the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union), but without an absolute majority at the parliament. Despite their success in terms of the number of seats, the coalition will probably have to seek partnerships to form a stable government. This situation may generate forthcoming complicated political negotiations, as the country seeks to establish a clear direction for its political future.
Legislative elections in the Basque Country, Spain
On 21 April 2024, the Basque Country, an autonomous region of Spain, held legislative elections that attracted considerable attention. The results showed a diverse political landscape, with several parties competing for seats in the regional parliament. The final results were closely scrutinised as voters and political observers waited to see which coalition, if any, would emerge to form a government and lead the region in the next legislature.
Presidential election in North Macedonia
On 24 April 2024, North Macedonia held a crucial presidential election to determine its future leadership. Citizens were called to the polls to choose their next president from among the candidates on the ballot. The election was of particular importance as the country sought to strengthen its political stability and promote its socio-economic development. The results of this election were closely watched, as they will shape the country’s political direction for years to come.
SPORT
Monte-Carlo tennis tournament
The Monte-Carlo tennis tournament took place from 7 to 14 April, with the best players on the ATP circuit in attendance. Spectators witnessed some intense matches and exceptional performances on the magnificent clay courts. The week concluded with thriling semi-finals and finals for tennis fans around the world.
The winner of this year’s tournament was Stefano Tsitsipas, who beat Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-4. Tsitsipas recovered his crown, having won in 2021 and 2022, making it the Greek’s third title in four years.
45th European amateur boxing championships
From 15 to 29 April, the European boxing championships offered a thrilling spectacle for fans of the sport. The fights were marked by the intensity and determination of the competitors, finally crowning the champions in various weight categories.
GEOPOLITICS
Turkey suspends exports to Israel in response to the blocking of humanitarian airdrops to Gaza
On 9 April, Turkey announced that it would suspend the export of goods in 54 categories to Israel, in response to Israel’s decision to prevent Turkish participation in humanitarian airdrops over the Gaza Strip. The move was seen as an escalation of tensions between the two countries, reflecting the often-tense relations in the Middle East region.
Devastating fire at the Copenhagen stock exchange:
What the Danes feared happened. The main facade of the old Copenhagen Stock Exchange, ravaged by fire, collapsed on the afternoon of Thursday 18 April. This tragic event has raised serious concerns about the damage to this emblematic site and mobilised major fire-fighting efforts to protect the city’s precious architectural heritage.
Ukrainian-Russian conflict
Since the major Russian takeover of Adviivka (a north-western suburb of Donetsk), followed by the re-election of Vladimir Putin as President of Russia, the front line of the conflict has generally been re-stabilised. There have been no major breakthroughs and no major changes in the conquest or seizure of territory.
SPACE
Gaia BH3: New Massive Black Hole Discovered in the Milky Way
On 16 April, scientists from the European Space Agency announced a major discovery: Gaia QQBH3, the second most massive black hole ever identified in the Milky Way galaxy. This exciting news opens up new perspectives for astronomical research, enabling us to better understand the structure and evolution of our galaxy, as well as the complex cosmic phenomena that take place within it. If you’d like to find out more, visit EUROSPACE
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