Shield and Alert: Maghreb Bound

In the second week of June 2024, far-right parties across the EU made significant gains in the European Parliament elections. In France, the National Rally led by Marine Le Pen secured nearly a third of the votes, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call for snap elections. Far-right gains affected most major European nations, such as Germany and Italy. In contrast, the Green parties suffered significant losses, which as seeing their influence in Germany and other countries wane.

Algeria was in the spotlight at the G7 summit in Bari in Italy in mid-June. New agreements have been signed with President Tebboun. To counter the strengthening Algerian strategy on the European gas market. Morocco is trying to develop its own gas fields.

There is news coverage in Spain about Morocco stepping up its military presence near the Spanish-controlled enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and a lot of chatter about a Russian military presence in Tunisia.

Tunisia’s political system is still compromised, but the economy is showing some signs of minimal recovery. However, one area that is contributing to the inability of decision makers to react to changes and challenges in the economy is the time it takes for economic data to be released.