Populism

Trump’s victory a wake-up call for Europe

Post the EU referendum and Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the US presidential election (Trump prepares for power, 11 November), this populist uprising might not end there, as several European countries go to the polls over the next few months. Next month Austrians go to the ballot box to elect a new president, with the vote expected to be close between Norbert Hofer of the anti-immigration Freedom party and Alexander Van der Bellen for the Greens. In March the Dutch hold their parliamentary elections, with the anti-Islamic Freedom party, led by Geert Wilders, standing on a pledge to “de-Islamify” the Netherlands and hold a Nexit vote. His party is running neck and neck with Mark Rutte’s Liberal party.

In May, the French go to the polls, with the presidential race seen as being between the far-right National Front, under Marine le Pen, running on an anti-EU, anti-immigration ticket, and the Republic candidate, who is still to be determined. In September the Germans cast their votes, with the backdrop of the immigration controversy. The far-right anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party is expected to make gains, though Angela Merkel is expected to win a fourth term if she decides to run again. This time next year Europe could look very different, with the future of the EU even more in doubt.