France Leaves Controversial Energy Treaty
France is the latest country to pull out of the Energy Charter Treaty, which protects fossil fuel investments from policy changes that pose threats to profits.
Liz Truss Resigns as British Prime Minister
Liz Truss of the Conservative Party stepped down as British Prime Minister. She made the announcement outside 10 Downing Street on October 20th.
European Union Approves Training Plan for Ukrainian Soldiers
The European Union’s plan to assist Ukraine in the war against Russia has finally been approved by foreign ministers.
French Oil Strike Rages On As Shortages Worsen
Strikes by fuel refinery workers in France are leaving the country in turmoil, with motorists in every part of the country struggling to get gas for their vehicles. The strike first began on Sept. 20, 2022, when workers at the ExxonMobil refinery went on strike. The labor shortages were then exacerbated when TotalEnergies workers joined the strike on Sept. 26, 2022. The French government ordered workers to begin work again, yet the labor unions leading the strike decided to extend them as recently as Oct. 12, 2022, as their conditions have not been met. With an energy crisis already affecting the continent, this strike could not come have at a worse time.
Concerns Rise as Giorgia Meloni’s Far-Right Coalition Wins in Italy
Giorgia Meloni, a far-right candidate for Italy’s 2022 election, won and claimed her position as the new prime minister. As the first female prime minister in Italy, Meloni leads a strong far-right government which is expected to be the most far-right in Italy since World War II.
Economic and Financial Affairs Council Moves Further Away from Russian Dependency
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the EU outlined its next steps in phasing out the EU’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels, and adopted several other measures at its meeting on October 4, according to the Council of the EU.