The European Union: United in right-wing nationalism?
Summary
TLDRIn a discussion on 'Talking Europe,' the panel explores the rise of right-wing and nationalist parties across the EU, triggered by issues like immigration and dissatisfaction with traditional centrist parties. Key figures from Germany, Spain, Finland, and Austria discuss the close presidential vote in Austria, the influence of immigration policies, and the symbolic meaning of these political shifts. The debate highlights the polarization in Europe, the challenge of integrating refugees, and the public's desire for new leadership amid economic and social concerns.
Takeaways
- 🇦🇹 Norbert Hofer, an anti-EU, anti-immigration nationalist candidate, came very close to winning Austria's presidential election.
- 🌍 Across the EU, right-wing political groups are gaining ground, advocating for national interests over the EU.
- 🇦🇹 In Austria, the presidential vote showed significant support for the nationalist Freedom Party.
- 📊 The narrow election result in Austria reflects a polarized society on issues like immigration.
- 🇩🇪 In Germany, the ruling CDU party faces challenges from the right-wing AfD party, which has gained popularity.
- 🏛️ Austria's presidential election had symbolic meaning due to the limited executive powers of the president.
- 🇪🇸 Spain's traditional bipartisan political system has collapsed, leading to new political dynamics.
- 📉 The rise of right-wing parties in Europe is partly due to public dissatisfaction with traditional centrist parties.
- 🗳️ Nationalist parties often campaign on anti-immigration and anti-EU platforms, appealing to voter fears and frustrations.
- 💬 Discussions on the EU's handling of crises like immigration and economic issues are central to the rise of nationalist parties.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the discussion in the provided video script?
-The main topic is the rise of right-wing political groups in Europe and their increasing support, particularly focusing on the recent Austrian presidential election and its implications.
Who are the main guests featured in the discussion?
-The main guests are Ingerbord Grassley from Germany's ruling CDU party, Ernest Urtasun from Spain's Green Party, Juho Eerola from Finland's Finns Party, and Evelyn Regner from Austria's Socialist and Democrat party.
What is Ingerbord Grassley's perspective on the rise of right-wing parties in Germany?
-Ingerbord Grassley believes that the rise of right-wing parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is partly due to the unclear line within the CDU and its sister party, the CSU in Bavaria. She emphasizes the importance of agreeing on a clear line regarding refugees.
What does Ernest Urtasun attribute to the collapse of the traditional political party system in Spain?
-Ernest Urtasun attributes the collapse to the social movement of protests that emerged from the economic crisis, which was progressive and demanded change from a progressive perspective. He also cites the historical reluctance of the Spanish population to back far-right parties due to the late end of far-right dictatorships in the 70s.
What reasons does Juho Eerola give for the increasing support of his party, the Finns Party?
-Juho Eerola states that the increasing support for the Finns Party is due to voters' concerns about the social and economic impact of massive immigration and the failure of European societies to integrate immigrants. He emphasizes that people have bad experiences and fears about the future.
How does Evelyn Regner explain the close results of the Austrian presidential election?
-Evelyn Regner explains that the close results show that while Austria is not far-right, many people are looking for someone who understands their concerns. She notes that Norbert Hofer, the far-right candidate, presented himself as young, energetic, and modest, which appealed to many voters.
What is a key message that Juho Eerola highlights about the outcome of the Austrian election?
-Juho Eerola highlights that the narrow win of the Austrian election indicates a significant polarization in Austria, similar to other Western European countries, particularly around the issue of immigration. He also notes the collapse of traditional mainstream parties in the first round of the election.
How do the guests view the connection between right-wing parties and anti-immigration sentiments?
-The guests generally agree that right-wing parties gain support by addressing voters' concerns about immigration. They point out that these parties often capitalize on fears about social and economic issues related to immigration.
What example does Ernest Urtasun give to demonstrate the voting behavior of far-right parties in the European Parliament?
-Ernest Urtasun gives the example of France's National Front abstaining from voting on a report tackling energy poverty and abstaining when creating a commission to tackle fiscal fraud. He argues that these actions show that far-right parties do not genuinely fight against the establishment.
What is the significance of the Austrian presidential election result according to the discussion?
-The Austrian presidential election result is significant because it highlights the deep polarization in the country and the rise of right-wing populism. It also underscores the broader trend across Europe where traditional centrist parties are losing ground to nationalist and anti-immigration groups.
Outlines
🇪🇺 Close Call in Austrian Presidential Election
The nationalist candidate Norbert Hofer narrowly lost the Austrian presidential election, reflecting significant support for the Freedom Party. The discussion focuses on the rising popularity of right-wing parties across the EU, with representatives from various countries offering their perspectives.
🌍 Green Victory in Austria
The Green Party's success in the Austrian presidential election is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of defending fundamental values against the far-right. The conversation addresses the migration crisis and the political shift in Austria.
🗳️ Rising Right-Wing Support in Europe
This paragraph explores the growing influence of right-wing parties in Europe, driven by issues such as immigration, terrorism, and economic concerns. Specific examples include France's National Front and Germany's Alternative for Germany.
💼 Political Shifts and Social Concerns
The discussion delves into the underlying social and economic issues fueling the rise of nationalist parties. The focus is on fears related to immigration and the need for political parties to address these concerns effectively.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡anti-EU sentiment
💡nationalist parties
💡immigration crisis
💡Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ)
💡political polarization
💡CDU (Christian Democratic Union)
💡Green Party
💡economic dissatisfaction
💡pro-European values
💡symbolic meaning
Highlights
Norbert Hofer, the anti-EU and anti-immigration nationalist candidate, narrowly lost the Austrian presidential election by just 0.3%.
Despite the loss, the Freedom Party in Austria showed significant support, reflecting a high level of backing for nationalist sentiments.
Right-wing political groups across the EU, including in Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and France, are gaining ground by advocating for national interests.
Austria's presidential election highlighted the deep polarization in Europe regarding immigration policies.
The Freedom Party's Norbert Hofer presented himself as a young, energetic, and modest candidate, which appealed to many voters.
The Austrian presidential election result is seen as a symbolic victory for the greens and the left, despite the narrow win.
The close result is a wake-up call for Austria's traditional political parties, emphasizing the need for real changes and actions.
Austria's initial open-door policy during the migrant crisis, followed by a policy reversal, played a significant role in the election's outcome.
Finnish politics also show a rise in support for nationalist parties, reflecting concerns over immigration and economic impacts.
Spain's political landscape remains unique with no significant far-right party presence, attributed to its progressive social movements and historical context.
Nationalist parties across Europe, like France's National Front and Germany's AfD, are capitalizing on public fears related to immigration and economic insecurity.
Right-wing parties are increasingly entering government positions, shifting from being opposition voices to having executive influence.
Austria's experience with the Freedom Party in government left lasting impacts, including economic challenges due to corruption.
The success of nationalist parties is partly driven by voters' fears and desires for change in policies on jobs, housing, and education.
The discussion on how to address rising nationalism emphasizes the need to tackle inequality and economic insecurity rather than focusing solely on immigration issues.
Transcripts
hello in a very warm welcome to talking
Europe he lost by 0.3 present the
anti-eu anti-immigration nationalist
candidate norbert offer is not Austria's
new president but he did come incredibly
close support for the Freedom Party
there is clearly high and Austria is not
alone in Finland Denmark the Netherlands
Germany France basically across the EU
right-wing political groups calling for
their national interests to be put first
are gaining ground so if the idea of a
European Union debt or our votes for
these parties more or less a protest
against traditional centrist groups well
with us in studio to talk about that we
have from Germany this ingerbord
Grassley you're from the ruling CDU
party on the other side of the table we
have from Spain a mr. earnest birthday
soon member of the country's Green Party
and across from you from Finland and the
Finns of party and Nationalist Party day
that is in government we have mr. juicy
hala ow
thanks for your time and again finally
but last but not least we have from
Austria
mr. Evelyn Ragnar you're from the
socialist and Democrat a party let me
start perhaps miss Wren you with your
good self that presidential vote it came
so close you clearly a lot of support
there for that very nationalist and EU
party of course what first of all we all
relief absolutely relief Democratic
Austria is relieved that the result is
finally the one that mr. Van de belem
one but almost fifty percent fifty
almost fifty percent that's really far
more than simply a mistake there's
really a big big thing and it was the
point
most that is one of the green and when
it really has to say mr. Hofer far-right
right-wing populist he was appearing
during the election campaign as somebody
who is young far younger than the others
energetic nice modest so somehow his
whole presentation and this has to be
taken into consideration was really not
not a far right-wing presentation of
himself but it was really different of
course of course of course but it was
the one somehow trying to
there's sympathy at the majority of the
population and ever it's important to
say the majority of the population
austra is not far right-wing it's not
they are simply seeking for somebody who
understands their concerns and this was
something he really did in a holla do
you think it's as simple as that down to
a good pure campaign overall well to the
best of my knowledge the federal
president of Austria does not have very
white executive powers and in that sense
the outcome of the elections had largely
a symbolic meaning and I don't doubt it
had a very large symbolic meaning for
the greens and for the left and for the
pro-immigration camp on the other hand
the win was extremely narrow which means
that either one of the candidates could
have easily won the election in my
opinion the most important message a
signal of the outcome of the elections
was the complete collapse of the
traditional mainstream parties in the
first round of the elections and the
result also shows that Austria like
almost all Western European countries is
becoming increasingly polarized by the
question of immigration and as mentioned
almost 50% of Austrians were prepared at
this time to vote for the candidate of
the FPAA and according to opinion polls
the party is already the largest party
in Austria and they have the
parliamentary elections next year indeed
all eyes will be on those a
parliamentary elections but let's look
at the issue of immigration that was one
definitely this freedom party campaigned
on Austria did have an open-door policy
at the start of this migrant crisis as
were calling it here in ndu they let
some 90,000 people in then they changed
the rules put limits on that Minister
asla are you are you shocked for the
results from Austria do you think that
immigration campaign was a large element
of it I think it was a part of a part of
the campaign but for me the result shows
that never change your line the Austrian
government changed its line during the
refugee crisis and it's a real crisis
for us all nobody invited them but we
have a crisis around Europe and this
change of politics and of the policy
means that it was false and all parties
who said from the beginning that this
line was false they got a lot of support
by the own government and this this was
the big error let's write never change
never change your line mr. Ortiz you
know how do you see it when you look at
the the results from those presidential
votes do you think it was maybe
Austrians beings wanting to narrow
themselves in and close those borders or
do you think it was simply against the
traditional parties well well first of
all I have to say that we are you're
being greens very happy that we have the
first green head of state was elected I
think it won the very very good campaign
and I have to say also that he was very
good confronting the extreme right with
defending very fundamental values and I
want to make the linguist of who was
mentioned before refugees the best way
to tackle the extreme right is to defend
very strongly your fundamental values
and I think that he was very good at
that
it was a pro-european campaign it was
himself being himself the son of a
refugee with an open minded policy
regarding of the regarding refugees and
I think that's the good way of
approaching the the extreme de because
when you change your line as it was
mentioned and you start doing a kind of
a public speech that is more and more
like the extreme right what you do is
you offer them votes and that is exactly
what should be done to tackle the
extreme at the same time when you look
at that migration question mister Allah
who I know you'd also like Finland to
have a very close door policy on that
it's your party has gained in popularity
or since this migrant crisis began you
now part of government the foreign
minister is from your party how do you
how are Finn's how important is that to
Finn's do finns want to cut that
closed-door policy you mean the first
party or the phase as a nation
yes party well Finn's as a nation as
well how do you see public opinion I
mean your party is gaining in popularity
yes well our party in terms of its
membership and the candidates and MPs is
a very heterogenic populist traditional
populist party but I would say that for
a large majority of our voters this was
one of the key issues in the elections
and they don't necessarily agree with
everything we say about all some other
issues especially issues related to
taxation or or economics
but I would say that most of our voters
expect from our government more tough
approach towards immigration very few
migrants are crossing into Finland and
how would that work out do is then is it
acceptable that trains were allowed to
travel per capita Finland freeze was the
fourth largest recipient of asylum
seekers last year in the European Union
so we you know we've seen from the land
it has had more refugees arrived but
that's just one element another thing
you're wondering is is the vote in
Austria and anti-eu vote because a lot
of these national parties that's what
they put point the finger blame to
Brussels for everything that goes wrong
in their countries is that what I would
I know it was really a vote first of all
against the existing systems to people
against it was really it was really a
vote against the government as it was
because the people realize there is a
standstill there is really a deep wish
more or less that decisions are taken
and implemented and this is more or less
a wake up call not only to talk about
changes but to do them and this message
we've been getting really across the
board in in the EU I mean a Portugal
election Irish elections Spain's
elections no real winner coming out you
know the voting is being divided across
the block majorities and you know how do
you see Spain addressing that well I
think in Spain the the political party
system has also collapsed the
traditional political party system we
had a purely almost perfect bipartisan
system that are totally collapse of
course this is new and then of course
for the formation of government it
creates a new dynamic and the country
needs to adapt to that but I think that
we there is one extremely good element
about the change of the party system in
Spain which is that we don't have any
far-right party and that is extremely
positive I think that there are two main
reasons for that
the first one is that the crisis ended
with a social movement of protests that
was progressive that wanted change but
from the progressive from a progressive
perspective that was very important and
second thing most important in Spain the
the far-right dictatorships ended very
late they weren't up until the 70s and I
think there's an historical
of the populations not to back far-right
parties we have far-right parties for
sure but they are always defeated in
elections and I think these are those
are two reasons why in Portugal and
Spain we don't have far right Spain
might be the exception on that issue but
as you're saying far-right national
parties they have they seen their
support base increase across Europe RM
sub reports Germany's Franco Petri
Hungary's Victor Orbin Francis mine
lepen or Austria's no but at hoofer
across Europe far-right leaders are
increasingly winning over voters
sympathies Francis for National Party
has existed for decades
last year mine Lupin dominated regional
elections she's now a contender to reach
the second round of presidential
elections next year Fraga Petra's
alternative for Germany party on the
other hand is only three years old yet
in March she too made significant gains
in parliamentary elections from the
migrant crisis to terror attacks on
European soil to domestic issues like
unemployment nationalist parties are
using xenophobic rhetoric to appeal to
voters and play on the feeling that
mainstream parties are growing more and
more impotent Europe's handling of the
Greek bailout also gave impetus to the
rise of the far right as Europeans
stepped up calls for Athens to leave the
European Union there's also the
well-oiled PR machine mine lepen has
suffered her image in a bid to distance
herself from her hardline father earlier
this year she launched a blog called
notebooks of hope where among other
things she poses with kittens she also
expelled her father from the party over
anti-semitic comments he made in Austria
Norbit who first seen as a friendly face
of the party using his charm charisma
and youth to seduce the country's voters
obviously we heard there in that report
they alternative for Deutschland a it's
a new party but it's yet gaining
popularity we saw those elections local
elections three different areas it took
between 14 and 24 percent of the vote
miss Grassley what is your ruling party
the CDU doing wrong and what are you
going to do about it
it is a
protesters party but it's also a party
who profits from a certain unclear line
within that CD when the see is this is
our our sister part in Bavaria has an
another line much more close to aft and
in our view in my view they help aft to
get this to it to make these arguments
really choosable by a larger broader
public that's why we need to agree on
the line on refugees this is of utmost
importance and a lot of in the past a
lot of these more extreme or very
right-wing parties were seen as being
able to tout a certain line because they
were in the opposition they weren't in
power increasingly were seeing them in
government we're seeing are we not a
very less hard-line position from these
parties I mean we already had our
experience in Austria we already had FP
in the government and we're still
suffering we're really paying as
taxpayers because you're Qaeda when his
party was in the government more or less
did decisions that are a catastrophe
Carinthia the province of Corinth is
bankrupt because of corruption because
of deals with people I paid earlier and
we're paying as correct as taxpayers
right now billions and billions every
year you think voters just want somebody
new or because they don't believe in the
they weren't a lot I mean what they want
these jobs affordable housing and good
education and we are doing a mistake
when we always serve surfing on this
vague of of fear of fear of refugees of
fear something we we don't know we
should focus on our real topics mr.
artisan I agree on that I think there's
a there's in general a collapse of the
party system every word they are not
stable anymore
and of course because we have a big
social crisis in the whole year at the
thing is that we need to lead a
political battle in order that this
change in the party political system
doesn't lead to this did to the
destruction of democracy which would
mean that those parties have a majority
and there's one important point that the
needs to be mentioned those far-right
parties haven't been government got
governing in Europe for now but they
vote here in the European Parliament
they have members of parliament and they
vote and we have their voting record and
for instance
French for national refuses to vote in
favor of a report that us tackling
energetic poverty for instance they
abstain when they when we create a
commission to tackle fiscal fraud so we
know what they do so at the end they are
when sometimes when they when they are
asked how they knew or there really a
fighting as they claim against the
establishment that is not right if you
see the voting record here mister Allah
I mean your party is one of these new
parties there's something new to offer
the public how do you see what what's
the thing appealing to voters most how
are you so different well I think we
should worry less about the so-called
extreme right parties and perhaps talk
more about the reasons why people vote
for these parties I think your
explanation is too simple people are not
just they just they don't want just to
express a protest against the
traditional party system the growing
number of people are very worried about
the social and economic price tag that
comes with the massive immigration and
the complete failure of the European
societies to integrate those people
people have bad experiences and it's
logical to assume that as the numbers
grow the situation will grow even worse
because because of course when one one
cannot say and this is exactly what the
far-right parties say that the problems
of unemployment and the social crisis I
do too the refugees this is totally so
many that some rich people voted in
favor of identity view photos in terms
the voters for them are more rich than
other people in the well indeed and when
you look at one extreme divide but the
very poor is about because they are
afraid that social security issues that
there might be a conference I think that
mean this is what what what parties need
to tackle to take away the fear and
immigration if the refugees do not meet
that's not meaning integration it is it
is a huge humanitarian act for Syrian
refugees for the war and the idea is
that the Syrians go back but nobody
talks about that
what Behind is look I mean Austria is
one of the best economies in the U and
employment is only at 5% and yet you had
this massive up spur yes because it's
not only about an answer a trying answer
on the economic situation it's a people
want you taking what they howlings
exactly it has to do with the with the
fears of the future so people who are
really having a job having a nice house
living in the countryside where they
have never seen a refugee before they're
voting for the far right because they
are afraid and we have to the RT we're
getting more and more afraid are we are
we're a cowardly bunch here in Europe no
I think of course there's a social
crisis I think there's territory
measures and in a way have broken the
sort of the European social contract in
the last years I think this is this is
fair to recognize and of course when
when this big social crisis happens then
you have all the DS demagogic demagogic
all parties that try to grow creating
fear when what we have and we have to
tackle is a big problem of inequality
not a problem related to migration or
related refugees I'm sorry thanks to my
guests for having joined us thanks also
to you at home for having tuned in join
us after the news we'll be speaking with
Ukraine's of Foreign Minister pavlo
klimkin see you then
you
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