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Next week’s elections for the European Parliament are likely to deliver a triumph for far-right populist parties across the continent, and to make the European Union even more difficult to govern.
An overview of what lies ahead.
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An overview of what lies ahead.
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Far-right populist parties will likely take the biggest share of the vote in the U.K., Italy, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
They might also win pluralities in France, Poland, Austria, and Sweden, among other countries.
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They might also win pluralities in France, Poland, Austria, and Sweden, among other countries.
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The most striking transformation is taking place in Britain. Neither Labour nor the Tories have a coherent stance on Brexit. So they are being supplanted by The Brexit Party and [checks notes] LibDems.
Farage is likely to get more votes than Labour and the Tories together!
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Farage is likely to get more votes than Labour and the Tories together!
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Transformations of Britain’s system are often predicted, yet materialize rarely.
But the Brexit Party's commanding lead suggests that the populist right will be a dominant force in UK politics for years to come – either by supplanting, or by conquering, the Conservatives.
4/n
But the Brexit Party's commanding lead suggests that the populist right will be a dominant force in UK politics for years to come – either by supplanting, or by conquering, the Conservatives.
4/n
Italy is governed by a populist coalition. The smaller League is far-right, the larger Five Star Movement has its roots on the left.
But the League’s Salvini has been dominating the headlines. And now he looks likely to get the biggest share of the vote.
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But the League’s Salvini has been dominating the headlines. And now he looks likely to get the biggest share of the vote.
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Hungary no longer has free and fair elections. So it's no surprise that Viktor Orban’s Fidesz Party will win a clear majority in the upcoming election.
That rounds out the most important cases of likely populist winners. But there’s also a many toss-ups which they may win.
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That rounds out the most important cases of likely populist winners. But there’s also a many toss-ups which they may win.
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In France, Macron’s En Marche and Le Pen’s Rassemblement National are neck-to-neck.
Either could win, which once again underlines the country’s long-term challenges: Macron is not very popular, and it’s unclear who could succeed him.
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Either could win, which once again underlines the country’s long-term challenges: Macron is not very popular, and it’s unclear who could succeed him.
7/n
In Poland, opposition parties have forged a broad ideological coalition, and attracted a prominent list of candidates, to stand up to the government’s extreme attacks on democratic institutions.
But most recent polls predict the governing PiS will still eke out a plurality.
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But most recent polls predict the governing PiS will still eke out a plurality.
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And I somehow messed up the thread!
Here's the continuation (and sorry for the rookie mistake).
Here's the continuation (and sorry for the rookie mistake).
