Although the European establishment and the EU bureaucracy
feels more secure after the Netherlands vote, the attraction of populism and
nationalism remains strong in many European countries. It will next be tested
in France.
The EU establishment cites recent polls that show EU
favoring candidates in France and Germany have been surging into tight leads.
But, if one conclusion came out of the recent Donald Trump and Angela Merkel
summit, it is that the Trump administration is pro-populist, pro-nationalist
and anti-EU. Their meeting highlighted no consensus exists on trade or EU’s
open borders.
U.S. populist and nationalist money and online campaigning
was spotted in the Netherlands. Expect behind-the-scenes support in France.
Because Trump and his policies are an easy target for the European left,
low-key campaigning will be the tactic.
In terms of Germany, although Trump and his team would
prefer a party of the right, Merkel is such an object of resistance that they
would likely prefer any chancellor but Merkel, even a socialist.
The sense of confidence for the European establishment or
Brussels bureaucracy should be tempered by the challenges they face and the
forces arrayed against them. And then there is, of course, the disinformation
and aggressive campaigning of Russia.
Read:
The Buzz: Populism dominates 2017 European politics
The Buzz: European nationalists cheer Trump
The Buzz: Germany vs. U.S. – Policy and political battleground
Crossley Center: Netherlands moves right on immigration, but rejects the chaos of fringe nationalism
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