Monday, May 27, 2019

How Will Nationalists Push Their Agenda in Europe? | Inside Story


The far-right makes gains after the European Parliament elections but not the clean sweep some feared.

A record-number of voters across Europe have dealt a blow to traditional centrist politics, with far-right and far-left parties making significant gains in the European Parliament elections.

A surge in support for liberal and green parties means pro-EU politicians will maintain their majority in the 751-seat parliament. But far-right and nationalist wins in Italy, France, Britain and Poland gives Eurosceptic parties control of a quarter of the seats for the first time.

Far-right gains were less than expected and won't dramatically change the balance of power. But the EU parliament now finds itself more fragmented than ever. As pro-EU parties retain their majority, what do the results mean for nationalists in the divided parliament?

Presenter: Barbara Serra | Guests: Nina Schick - Author & Political Commentator; Tony Travers - Professor, School of Public Policy, London School of Economics; Thorsten Benner - Co-founder & Director, Global Public Policy Institute