Europe's populists are popping corks in the wake of Trump's election victory – affirmation, they say, that purchasing power and migration are the key to the hearts of voters. With Europe's democracies looking increasingly unstable, the far-right is angling for big gains.
But how much can Trump's success serve as a blueprint for anti-establishment movements in Europe? In Belgium the far-right Flemish separatists Vlaams Belang have issued a call to "Make Europe Great Again", though they are vague on just how to do this.
Broadly speaking, the strategy would be to deliver for "ordinary" Europeans by adopting more isolationist policies. But Europe's fortunes won't be transformed by preventing immigration and stepping back from diplomatic missions outside the bloc. Trump's tactics to put money in the pockets of ordinary Americans can hardly be copy and pasted.
Despite efforts to build up energy autonomy and realising that Europe's industrial base must be far stronger to withstand a shift in the balance of global trade, EU Member States are limited to the extent they can ape the US.
Besides, beyond the emotional appeal that Trump clearly has, his rationale is harder to discern. Belgium's right-wing agitators never shy from evoking a "woke agenda" to win media attention but they're much quieter on the issues of real substance.
Thankfully elections here took place before the US shake-up, though a Federal Government is still not in sight. Trump's influence will be more evident in Germany, where the left-wing coalition has broken down. But besides the Euro-scepticism, how will Europe's far-right push their agenda in other policy areas? See here.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten