At a time when the need for Europe is more pressing than ever, the eurosceptic – if not europhobic – far right is gaining ground on the Old Continent. This is not without consequences: The European Union has been weakened by the June 9 elections. This is one of the unfortunate paradoxes of the current political and strategic situation. There are others.
All trends considered, the far-right will represent a quarter, or thereabouts, of the 720 MEPs. The predicted tidal wave did not materialize, and this movement’s inability to unite will dilute its weight in the European Parliament. The legislature remains dominated by the same majority coalition: center-right (which is gaining ground), Social Democrats and the Renew liberals.
Read more 2024 European elections results: Explore our map and view the make-up of the future Parliament
But on the key issues of immigration, cost of living, security – in order or in disorder – euroscepticism is taking hold in a Union which, for many, was first and foremost synonymous with prosperity and growth. Two EU mainstays are affected. France is the hardest hit. In an unexpected election campaign, it is entering a phase of deep political turmoil, with the possible arrival of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) at the head of government. In Germany, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz’s coalition has been destabilized by the rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) ultras and the poor result of the chancellor’s party.
This is all already unpleasant, but it’s even worse when we take into account the ill wind blowing around the Union. This kind of sentiment is the antithesis of the European project’s universe. The EU was established in peace, by and for the law, against a backdrop of regulated economic liberalism. Today’s world is driven by other developments. War is back in Europe; power struggles prevail more than ever on the international stage; economic protectionism has returned.
‘Circle of fire’
The EU model has many enemies. Vladimir Putin’s Russia fears possible democratic contagion, which it is fighting with war in Ukraine. Xi Jinping’s China, in a difficult domestic situation, is counting on the EU market to sell its gargantuan surpluses. Moscow and Beijing are working together to challenge the values represented by the European project, as set out by the European Institute for Security Studies, the EU’s strategic think-tank, in its latest report entitled “Contestation: The new dynamic driving global politics.”
Joe Biden’s United States, keen to reindustrialize and maintain its technological lead, is sabotaging the World Trade Organization (WTO). Republican Donald Trump has already warned what the relationship will be like if he comes to power: He believes the EU is America’s “worst enemy.” He has promised to protect the American market by imposing a 10% tariff on everything from the EU. Finally, the Global South has denounced Brussels’ carbon tax as a form of European neo-colonialism.
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Source link : https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2024/06/13/the-eu-emerges-weakened-from-the-june-9-vote-at-a-time-when-we-need-a-stronger-europe_6674655_23.html
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Publish date : 2024-06-13 07:54:46
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