The rise to power of anti-EU parties could make it difficult to support Ukraine. It has already been difficult to find an agreement, writes Anna Karismo, a financial journalist who follows the EU.
Elections will be held in Slovakia and Austria within a year, as a result of which both the implementation of sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine may become more difficult.
In both countries, the polls are conducted by politicians who have a positive attitude towards Russia.
In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party, whose chairman has been at the top of the polls since November Herbert Kickl wants to relax sanctions against Russia.
Representatives of the Freedom Party have been caught up in several scandals over the years due to their connections with Russia.
Austria’s neighbor Slovakia will hold elections already this fall. The opinion polls there are led by a pro-Russia candidate Robert Fico and his left-wing SMER party.
Fico, who opposes migration and Islam, has said he will stop military support for Ukraine. He has also accused the Ukrainians of fascism and the EU of promoting Western propaganda.
The rise to power of these parties could open an effective channel for Putin to weaken Western sanctions against Russia and prevent helping Ukraine.
Up until now, there have been problems at the negotiating tables in Brussels with Hungary, the neighboring country of Austria and Slovakia, whose prime minister Viktor Orbán has hammered the EU carts in Putin’s favor.
The energy crisis and inflation increase dissatisfaction
The popularity of right-wing populists who oppose the current trend is growing in several European countries. However, the parties’ attitude towards Russia varies sharply.
For example, Perussuomalaiset has separated from its sister parties in Europe that supported Putin.
The consequences of the Russian war of aggression have increased the support of fringe parties. The price of energy skyrocketed after the attack and living became more expensive by many measures.
In Austria, the Freedom Party is now receiving protest votes not only because of increased immigration due to the war, but also because of rapidly galloping inflation.
In Germany, the largest EU country, the far-right “Alternative for Germany” or AfD party rose past the Greens to become the country’s third largest party in spring opinion polls.
The main reason for the increase in AfD’s support is immigration and energy and climate policy. Voters are angered by the government’s energy saving measures and future energy renovations.
About Germany’s green economy minister of Robert Habeck has become a great object of hatred of the extreme right because of the reforms.
National conservatism is increasing as a counter force to immigration, the energy crisis, climate change mitigation and globalization, was stated at a meeting of nationalists in London recently.
The increase in tolerance and “woke culture”, which is considered left-wing, annoys old people. The restrictive measures of the corona pandemic, on the other hand, gave rise to conspiracy theories, the supporters of which often vote for extremists.
Cancellation of climate action?
In addition to opposition to immigration, extremist movements are united by the fact that they oppose the European Union. For them, the EU represents internationality, climate action and immigration.
The main goal of the current commission has been to curb climate change. It has developed various transnational programs and guidelines to adapt the European economy to a fossil-free era.
Indeed, European cooperation may become more difficult in the coming years if the people’s protest grows. The European elections will be held one year from now at the beginning of June.
More citizens than before told the news In the Eurobarometer intending to vote in the EU elections this time.
At the same time as the rise of the populists, the Greens have suffered from a drop in support in many countries. Like Finland, in Germany, for example, the support of the Green Party is falling like a cow’s tail.
The Green Party is the most visible supporter of climate action among the parties. In the view of the Greens themselves, the rise of the far-right is now due to climate politics the greatest risk.
See also Ulkolinja’s documentary “Extreme Right on the Rise in Germany” from 2021.