5 articles
Since the 2019 European Parliamentary elections, the European Union has achieved significant progress, while navigating a sea of unprecedented challenges. Forward-thinking policies have been adopted and implemented in many areas of common interest, placing the EU at the forefront of global legislative innovation.
However, the path has been strewn with obstacles. The COVID-19 pandemic put the EU and the rest of the world on hold for two years, while Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has prompted critical introspection about Europe’s defence capabilities. The transition away from Russian energy sources has led to soaring prices, exacerbating inflation already heightened by the pandemic.
All this has created discontent amongst large parts of the European population, whose standards of living have been decreasing since 2019. The mood of uncertainty has fomented a wave of protests and bolstered support for the far-right. On the other end of the spectrum, younger demographics express disillusionment with the EU’s failure to enact bolder reforms. Their diminished presence in the elections could contribute to a dramatic alteration to the political landscape.
From now until the elections, Eurozine is publishing a series of articles unravelling national intricacies while also delving into overarching issues. Grouping countries in regional blocs, experts will measure the political atmosphere at a crucial moment for Europe and its neighbourhoods.
Guest editor Raluca Besliu
In partnership with Studio Europa.
A changing world
EU, USA, China
From COVID-19 to economic tensions and full-scale war in Ukraine, the relationship between the EU, the US and China has undergone seismic shifts since the last European Parliamentary elections in 2019. This year’s elections on both sides of the Atlantic are likely to alter these dynamics, changing the geopolitical landscape again.
Europe turns east
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine
Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has put eastern Europe firmly at the centre of the EU’s foreign policy agenda, transformed attitudes to defence and given fresh impetus to reforms by candidates for EU membership. But with rightwing movements and authoritarianism gaining ground, support for Ukraine and EU enlargement is under threat.
The European Parliament elections on 9 June are a referendum on EU policy since 2019. Will voters give Europe the green light for further progress, or pull the brakes? A new Eurozine series measures the political atmosphere in the EU and its neighbourhoods at this crucial moment.
Western Europe’s far-right moment
Austria, Ireland, Liechtenstein. Netherlands, Switzerland
Strong far-right gains in three western member states – Austria, the Netherlands and now Ireland – indicate that the EU is on course for a political shift after the European Parliament elections. Euroscepticism also predominates across the conservative spectrum in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
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