EU chaos: Furious Dutch farmers take on Brussels with tractor protest to demand ‘respect'
PROTESTS against the EU erupted in the Netherlands on Wednesday as farmers and construction workers rallied against the trade bloc.
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The protest emerged this week after the Netherlands was found to be in violation of EU rules on “reactive nitrogen” in May. Both sectors have accused Brussels of being unfairly singled out and protestors gathered outside the Netherlands’ national broadcaster, NOS in Hilversum - the country’s media hub.
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Groups of tractors and demonstrators gathered on major motorways during rush hour with one carrying the banner, “no farmers, no food”.
A spokesman for the group said: “We’re not looking for more money or a better contract, but for more respect and fewer rules.”
The protest came in the same week whereby the European Parliament voted to call for formal rule-of-law talks concerning Malta.
The vote came amid the investigation into the death of Maltese journalist, Caruana Galizia.
The prominent journalist was killed in 2017 by a car bomb.
Prior to her death, she had been exploring allegations of corruption within Malta’s government.
Prime Minister of the country, Joseph Muscat and his chief of staff, Keith Schembri have both stepped down.
In light of the controversy, MEPs backed a resolution (581 to 26) to start the process of suspending the rights of the state.
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Although the state could have its rights suspended, the country would still adhere to obligations and treaties within the bloc.
Speaking following the vote, Dutch liberal MEP Sophie in ’t Veld said: “What we expect is to put pressure not just on the Maltese government, but on the Commission and the Council to start moving.
Green MEP, Sven Giegold said: “Our vote today shows that the European Parliament is standing up for all the people of Malta in defending their right to live in a European country based on the rule of law.
“The European Commission can no longer turn a blind eye to the culture of impunity when it comes to money laundering and corruption in Malta.
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“The newly elected Commission must begin a dialogue with the Maltese government on the rule of law with a view to commencing Article 7 proceedings if no immediate progress is made from the Maltese side.”
Speaking following the announcement, Mr Muscat said: “All the responsibility I had to shoulder surely does not compare to the pain that the victim's family is enduring.
“Malta needs to start a new chapter and only I can give that signal.”
Both Poland and Hungary are facing similar proceedings over rule of law concerns.
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This week Poland’s lower chamber of parliament on Friday passed a bill penalising judges who question the legitimacy of legal changes made by the government.
The measure has been criticised by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the UN’s high commissioner for human rights.
Polish Ombudsman Adam Bodnar said during the debate that the bill breaches the Polish constitution and will call into question Poland's membership of the EU.
He said: “This is a direct path to a Polexit, to Poland leaving the European Union.”
The new law which some have called the “the Muzzle law” is a direct response to a November ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
Following the creation of the new chamber in Poland, the ECJ ruled Polish judges must decide on the validity of the newly formed chamber imposed on them by the government.
