Matthew Klink’s Post

https://lnkd.in/gZP-Sfaw I just read this thoughtful article on Unherd. It very much remains to be seen whether nationalist right-wing parties can translate their successes in the EU elections into similar gains in national polls. There have been past instances where voters vote one way (likely in protest) in the EU parliament voting, but go the other way when it comes to the national elections. Nonetheless, I do believe that this election marks something of a watershed moment. The old consensus that we have since at least the mid-1990s, with an ever more integrated global economy, one that seemed to have managed to survive upheavals in 1997 and 2008, may now be facing yet another challenge. That consensus that had contributed so much to human prosperity over the past quarter of a century may now face its sternest test yet. I have highlighted that many established institutions and companies are faced with ever more skeptical audiences in an ever more fragmented communications landscape. This makes building trust ever more difficult, let alone advocacy and support for the brand. As serious communications professionals, we must pay attention to this trend and think about how to rebuild that trust, especially if the brand we work for, or are helping for, is an old established one. How can it best survive in this period of change?

Europeans head to the polls this week in closely watched elections that threaten to shake the bloc’s traditionally mainstream political landscape. From June 6 to 9, around 400 million people across the EU’s 27 member states will be eligible to vote for the next 720 members of European Parliament (MEPs). Far-right, populist parties are set to see significant gains, as a rising tide of euroskepticism ripples through the European Union, with major implications for the bloc’s future policy agenda, legislation and broader foreign policy. “We are seeing a rise in populist sentiment both in Europe and globally, which might result in the most right-wing European Parliament in history,” @Tim Adams Adams, president and CEO of the Institute of International Finance, told CNBC via email. Read the full story here: #EuropeanUnion #elections #EUelections #EuropeanParliament #politics #farright #populism

Two weeks ago European Policy Centre's Corina Stratulat, together with Attila Kovacs, were kind enough to have me on a panel about the upcoming European Parliament elections. Below is the recording and 7 ideas I shared: 1. "European politics is increasingly resembling Eurovision, with alliances and performances that play into identity politics [rather than content]." 2. "The European Parliament, to its credit, is far better at communicating the get-out-the-vote campaign and engaging in global issues." 3. "We see an increasing distinction between those who question the system and those who are unhappy with the *decisions* of the system." 4. "We should not be stuck in our Brussels bubble but listen to the diverse trends, priorities, and voices of Europeans." 5. "Foreign policy, like Ukraine, shows a clear divide between some components of ID and ECR, e.g. the Polish Law and Justice party, which is relatively pro-Atlantic and pro-Ukraine [compared to some of its regional peers]." 6. "The severity of the problem with Russian [and other] interference is not properly understood or taken seriously enough even though it has massive implications for the EU's very existence." 7. "EU institutional reform is essential, especially decision-making reform, to make the EU more effective with [the possibility of an] expanding membership to 30+ countries."

‼️ Violence has no place in politics: Safeguard democracy while we can It is said that ‘history doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes.’ That’s why today's events in Slovakia leave me utterly shocked and repulsed. As does the ongoing violent oppression of peaceful protestors in Georgia. Only yesterday, I warned in a briefing I delivered to colleagues in Washington, DC about the forthcoming EU elections that Europe is in a volatile state. I explained that these are not 'normal' times, that this is no 'ordinary' election, and that the stakes couldn't be higher. Europe, with its violent and turbulent past, is once again confronted with the ugly remnants of World War II and the Cold War. Historic achievements such as the fall of the Berlin Wall risk being undermined as an imperialist, expansionist Russia threatens the integrity of sovereign nations and seeks to generate turmoil with its well-honed toxic concoction of propaganda, sabotage, espionage and violence. To underline the seriousness of this moment - with critically important elections across the globe - including in Europe and the United States, I felt that words were not sufficient. So I decided to show this video which is a powerful reminder that democracy requires vigilance, engagement, buy-in. It's a #mustwatch, extremely compelling, and as I saw, not only on this side of the Atlantic. 🙏 Please take a moment to listen in on this moving exchange from one generation to another about the need to safeguard #democracy, #freedom, #peace. #EUElections

The European elections have already caused a political earthquake in Europe, with the decisive defeat of the left-wing parties in government in the first two economies of the EU, even if the Socialists would not like to admit it: it is clearly the politics of the ostrich that hides by putting the head in the sand, and revealing the lower back. The affirmation of the moderate right-wing (pro-EU, Atlanticist and supporter of Ukraine) in the third largest economy of the EU not only does not allow it to be ignored, but causes an increase in the relative political weight of the extreme far-right. Only by dealing with its History and its Culture will the EU be able to save itself, as Pope Ratzinger clearly said in unsuspecting times: the roots of Europe lie in the sharing of fundamental values. The rest is sterile propaganda. https://lnkd.in/dkzNvHyC

Herbert Kickl’s Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) romped home with 28.9% of the votes, marking yet another far-right victory in Europe. Although FPÖ’s advocation for extremist policies on migration, economic reform, and Russia is cause for much concern, the EU is confident that this election will not have a significant impact on Austria’s alignment with Brussels, citing coalition constraints as a moderating factor. Ned Johnson carefully construes this confidence as one that is well-founded but nevertheless mislaid, arguing coalition politics can merely delay the inevitable, whilst allowing the far-right fertile time to gather strength. Even though it does not command the entire government, FPÖ’s involvement and participation in administration can legitimize its positions without taking direct accountability. The same trends across Europe have shown that alienating these movements only sustains their popularity, Johnson suggests, as the centrists can always be relied on to fail at fixing ongoing immigration crises or fiscal problems. Ultimately Johnson singles out the wedge between member state public opinion and Brussels’ policies and direction, repeatedly hammered in and reinforced by resounding and responsibility-free populist successes such as those in Austria, as the most worrying of seismic political shifts taking place. #Austria #Kickl #FPO #EU #Politics #Populism https://lnkd.in/evtRzTKs

Europe’s center of political gravity is veering to the right. Center-right and far-right parties are set to be first past the post in today’s European Union election in the most populous nations: Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland.

Three thoughts on right-wing and populist politics and the European Parliament: 1.        Their influence goes beyond the number of seats won and how they will use them future. The right has already succeeded in dragging the policies and positions of the centre-right and centre closer to it in terms of policies they put forward in the campaigns.  2.        The right wing’s most influential delegations are split between different political groups. Some have a ‘detoxification’ agenda for national politics that doesn’t support enhanced right-wing collaboration in Brussels. This leads to a complex picture. The AfD appears ready to try and rejoin the ID group minus Maximilian Krah which would have important funding benefits for the German party. It is questionable whether Marine Le Pen would accept this considering she now has eyes on the Parliamentary elections in France. Giorgia Meloni is probably best placed to maximise influence where her party is now; in the ECR group.  3.        Two of the top three largest national delegations in the European Parliament are now from the right: France’s Rassemblement National (No. 1 with 30 seats) and Fratelli d'Italia (No. 3 with 24 seats) who sandwich the CDU/CSU (29 seats). These delegations are a useful platform in daily parliamentary business for disruption, or the extraction of concessions from the mainstream, depending on the situation or day of the week.

My latest article explores the political landscape, highlighting the rise of nationalist movements and the challenges faced by centrist parties. Will the European People's Party maintain its lead? How might this impact key figures like Ursula von der Leyen and crucial policy decisions? Join the conversation and dive into the intricacies shaping the future of the EU. #euelections #EuropeanPolitics #politicalinsights https://lnkd.in/gKrEK2U4