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.

Populism

Nationalism in America and Europe: Populist wave crashes ashore

Those feeling left behind in a globalized world are striking back where they can through the ballot box, using liberal democratic election systems to power illiberal aims.

The trend is undeniable: Far-right parties are on the march from Eastern Europe to the United States, promoting nationalism as a front for turning their countries inward, away from an increasingly interconnected world.The Freedom Party in Austria, Jobbik in Hungary, Law and Justice in Poland, the National Front in France, the Danish People’s Party and Britain’s movement to leave the European Union, have all gained substantial ground – if not secured governing majorities – over the past two years. The rise of President-elect Donald Trump is simply an extension of that movement, where populations across the Western world are rejecting immigration, freedom of trade and global integration, in favor of nativism, protectionism and disengagement.

Populism

Donald Trump's populist wave sweeps through Europe

As Western Europe gears up for a string of elections over the next year, right-wing parties are seizing on Donald Trump's victory as proof that a strong nationalistic stance against trade and immigration will propel them into power.

A wave of populism already has spread to Eastern Europe, where countries that include Croatia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia have rightest governments.

Farther west, Austria next month could elect Europe's first far-right head of state since World War II. Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party narrowly lost a race for the largely ceremonial post in April, but a new election was ordered because of alleged irregularities in counting mailed-in ballots.