Is the “European project” in peril with the demur of the centre-left?
The future of the European centre-left political parties is in tatters. The result of the Italian election shows that right-wing populism is making resurgence in Europe. Italian right wing political parties gained more than 67% vote in the 4th March general election. Certainly this outcome sent a shockwave to Eurocrats at Brussels.
It is no joy for liberals at Europe as from Poland to Portugal, almost every country in Europe now has a mainstream far-right wing political party. Germany has now gone mainstream too. After 70 years, Germans now live with a right-wing populist party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Over 65 percent of Italians voted for avowedly eurosceptic parties in an expression of fury against the pro-European establishment. Anti-immigrants parties may form coalition in Italy, the 4th largest economy of Europe. Italians are frustrated with the EU’s letdown to provide support for Italy throughout the migrant crisis that eventually fuelled anti-EU sentiment. The right wing coalition won’t necessarily solve any of Italy’s current crises from 11% unemployment to stagnating economy but the coalition will indisputably challenge EU establishment.
The centre-left politics hasn’t helped everyone in Europe. Sluggish economy, higher unemployment, political unwillingness to solve migrants and refugee issues, cultural conflicts, all these are contributing to the rebuke of the failing centre-left of the Europe. Ordinary working class people all across the developed countries including UK and USA feel left behind. Nevertheless, the Liberals or centre-left too often blame the media or the “uneducated working class” for their sharp decline but don’t want to take blame for their own policies. Albeit since 70’s the centre-left politicians are holding the influence in Europe but the now the whole EU project is in limbo. Can French President Macron and German Chancellor Markel champion the EU project once again?
The general public all across Europe and America are rejecting centre-left political ideologies as they think it doesn’t necessarily solve the complex issue or accommodate aspiration of the mass ordinary people. Unless the centre-left political parties across Europe follow the footstep of British Labour party by electing a leader like Jeremy Corbyn, the survival of the centre-left may be jeopardized. But do the Liberals often realise that they should revisit their policies and make it more rational to reach out to ordinary people?
Adnan Pavel,
Broadcaster,political commentator, and research student
London, Uk
