(Title image by European Parliament Multimedia Centre)
The recent European Union Parliament elections have marked a significant shift in the political landscape, with far-right parties gaining unprecedented support across several member states, particularly France, Germany and Italy, the three towers of strength in the EU. This phenomenon has sparked intense debates about the underlying causes and implications for the future of the EU. This article will not complain about the parochialism of the ordinary people, like leftist thinkers always do in the US when facing the soaring popularity of Trump. Instead, as rational speculators, we have to explore why the public is increasingly resistant to the leftist agenda which always hold moral correctness, and examine the growing desire for far-right policies to ensure security.
Over the past few years, far-right parties in Europe have been gaining traction, a trend that culminated in the recent EU Parliament elections. Parties such as Italy’s Lega Nord and the ruling Fratelli d’Italia (FdI), France’s National Rally, Germany’s Alternative für Germany (AfD), and Hungary’s Fidesz (and their iconic populist hero Viktor Orbán) have made significant electoral gains. This rise can be attributed to a confluence of factors including economic anxiety, cultural fears, and a sense of disenfranchisement among large swathes of the population.
How the far-right parties were fermented
Economic instability and inequality have been crucial catalysts for the surge in far-right support. The 2008 financial crisis and ensuing austerity measures inflicted deep wounds on European societies. Many citizens felt utterly forsaken by mainstream political parties, which appeared more invested in preserving the financial system than in addressing the pressing needs of ordinary people. The elites, often alumni of prestigious schools, have enjoyed disproportionate privileges in careers, business, and capital investment opportunities. In stark contrast, the average citizen receives a meager share of the prosperity they help create while bearing the brunt of the elites’ excesses. This glaring disparity between the public and the privileged few, coupled with widespread disillusionment, has created fertile ground for far-right parties. These parties pledge to prioritise so-called “national interests” over the global financial elites, exploiting the deep-seated frustrations of the disenfranchised masses.
The inundation of refugees from underdeveloped nations, alongside accompanying cultural anxieties, has been instrumental in bolstering the rise of far-right parties. The refugee crisis of 2015-2016, marked by a significant influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa, has only served to exacerbate existing concerns surrounding cultural identity and social cohesion. The escalating incidents of violence attributed to refugees have prompted public scrutiny over whether they should bear the burden of the multiculturalism and human rights championed by liberal leftists. Far-right parties have adeptly exploited these fears, portraying immigration as an imminent threat to national identity, security, and welfare systems. Despite the fact that ill-prepared refugees have indeed posed security and welfare challenges for countries like Germany, Italy, and Sweden, far-right parties such as AfD have persistently exaggerated these issues. They continue to advocate for stricter immigration controls, more robust deportation policies, and measures prioritising native citizens.
A growing sense of disenfranchisement has fuelled the ascent of far-right parties. Many voters perceive traditional political establishments as failing to advocate for their interests. Far-right parties have adeptly cast themselves as champions of the “silent majority,” pledging to wrest power from the establishment and disrupt the status quo. Their populist discourse, frequently laced with anti-elitist and anti-EU rhetoric, strikes a chord with those who feel alienated by the effects of globalization and technological advancement. The recent surge in support for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in northern France and the widespread farmer protests preceding the EU election serve as poignant examples of this discontent.
Resistance against left-wing tyranny
The surge in far-right support is also a reaction to the perceived failures of leftist policies. While leftist parties have traditionally championed social justice, environmental sustainability, and progressive values, their agendas often require significant sacrifices from the public. This has led to growing resistance among voters who are unwilling or unable to bear these burdens.
Rob the money from the people and pay for left-wing moralities
Leftist economic policies, such as higher taxes and increased public spending on social programs, are often seen as necessary for reducing inequality and providing a safety net for the most vulnerable. However, these policies can also place a considerable burden on the middle class and small businesses. In an era of economic uncertainty, many voters are reluctant to support measures that they perceive as detrimental to their financial well-being. The desire for economic stability and personal prosperity has made them more receptive to far-right promises of tax cuts for businesses and deregulation.
The focus of the left on environmental issues, especially climate change, has faced significant pushback. Green policies, such as carbon taxes, limitations on fossil fuels, and encouragements for renewable energy, are essential for combatting environmental decline. However, without readily available innovations in alternative energy technologies to replace fossil fuels, these measures often result in economic drawbacks, including increased energy costs and job losses in specific industries, which are ultimately borne by the ordinary citizen. Despite the Russo-Ukrainian War disrupting energy supplies, the Scholz government, for instance, persisted in implementing energy policies mandating every household to adopt green energy systems and raising taxes on fossil fuel consumption. While his administration, notably the Green Party, championed their environmental morality, ordinary German households were left to foot the bill for the government’s environmental conscience. For many voters, the immediate economic repercussions outweigh the potential long-term environmental benefits—they risk impoverishment before the perceived climate crisis even materialises. The futile pursuit of environmentalism by left-wing governments ultimately resulted in a majority of the population rejecting politically correct climate change policies.
Tolerate violent refugees, or you are a racist!
Left-wing parties’ commitment to multiculturalism and progressive social values has sparked considerable debate. While advocating for policies promoting tolerance towards refugees, cultural diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality is crucial for fostering inclusive societies, such initiatives often provoke backlash from those who perceive their traditional values and way of life to be under threat. Take the Scholz government, for instance. Despite facing resistance to environmental policies, his administration introduced laws aimed at facilitating German citizenship for refugees, despite growing public unease over the crimes and violence perpetrated by refugees from Muslim countries. Even prior to the EU Parliament Elections, we witnessed a sharp decline in support for the Scholz government. This cultural resistance has played a significant role in the shift towards far-right parties, which pledge to safeguard national traditions, social norms, and, crucially, the security of people’s everyday lives. The connection between immigration and security is a central theme in far-right rhetoric. High-profile terrorist attacks, incidents of crime involving migrants and, most recently, the pro-Palestine protests organised by Muslim migrants have heightened public fears about safety and public questions about the cultural integration of Muslims. Far-right parties have exploited these fears by advocating for stringent immigration controls and the deportation of “non-Western” immigrants. They argue that these measures are necessary to protect citizens from external threats and maintain social order.
The issue of national sovereignty is also a crucial driver behind the support for far-right parties. Many Europeans perceive that their countries have surrendered excessive control to the EU, resulting in a dilution of national identity and autonomy. Far-right parties, with their staunch nationalist stance, pledge to reclaim sovereignty by diminishing the influence of the EU and prioritising national laws and policies. This characteristic is particularly pronounced in Fidesz, the ruling party of Hungary led by Orbán, an ironic figure hailed by far-right enthusiasts in the West. By vilifying the EU and von de Leyen as puppets of the “evil Soros who seeks to inundate Hungary with Muslim refugees,” he has effectively depicted himself and Fidesz as defenders shielding the Hungarian populace from persecution by Brussels. The promise of enhanced control over national affairs strikes a chord with voters who harbour skepticism towards supranational governance.
Tolerate criminals, or you are a fascist!
Moreover, the majority of far-right parties place significant emphasis on “law and order”, vowing to clamp down on crime and safeguard public safety. While liberal left-leaning factions advocate for defunding the police, portraying criminals as “freedom fighters battling oppression” and encouraging civilians to tolerate crimes, far-right parties champion stricter penalties for wrongdoers, bolstered funding for law enforcement agencies, and an unforgiving stance on enforcing the law. This uncompromising stance on crime resonates with voters who are alarmed by escalating crime rates and perceive current policies as excessively lenient.
Summary
The recent EU Parliament elections have highlighted a profound shift towards the far right, propelled by a fierce backlash against the constraints of left-wing political correctness. Opposition to the leftist agenda, especially concerning economic, environmental, and social policies, has only served to fan the flames of this movement. Central to this transformation is a mounting hunger for security and sovereignty, which far-right factions vow to fulfil. As Europe wrestles with these intricate and contentious matters, the political terrain will undoubtedly undergo further upheaval, exerting a significant influence on the future of the EU and its constituent states.