Europe is facing a widespread voter revolt. This wave of discontent is not an isolated phenomenon but a common thread running through the continent—a collective frustration with leadership that appears more interested in enforcing rigid regulations and promoting ideological agendas than in solving real-world problems.
It is clear that the backlash stems from a disconnect between lawmakers and the everyday struggles of citizens. The technocratic elite have prioritized centralized control over the sovereignty and unique needs of member states, while elected officials remain blind. This disconnection has fueled the rise of populist and eurosceptic movements, which will only continue to grow, driven by the electorate’s increasing dissatisfaction.
The ongoing migrant crisis is perhaps the most glaring example of the EU’s technocratic mismanagement. Rather than crafting practical, locally tailored solutions that respect member states’ sovereignty and address security concerns, Brussels has consistently imposed top-down mandates. In Italy, the success of right-wing parties like Brothers of Italy and the League can be directly linked to the electorate’s dissatisfaction with EU-imposed migration policies. Yet European leaders remain puzzled, seeking scapegoats rather than acknowledging the obvious erosion of confidence caused by their own wayward leadership.
Economic policies have become another flashpoint in the EU’s ambitious climate agenda. While these goals are commendable in theory, their implementation has led to higher energy costs, increased taxes, and job losses in industries deemed insufficiently green—effects that have hit lower-income groups the hardest. The EU’s push for rapid decarbonization, without offering viable alternatives or sufficient financial support beyond subsidies that often benefit well-connected entities, has resulted in widespread disillusionment.
The messaging around the EU’s climate policies is indeed problematic. By sidelining discussions about preserving wild spaces and broader environmental stewardship, Europe has largely focused on climate change and regulatory measures as the primary solutions. This narrow approach often emphasizes carbon reduction and compliance with regulations, rather than a holistic view of environmental sustainability that includes biodiversity, ecosystem preservation, and the intrinsic value of nature. As Roger Scruton wrote, “Conservatism and environmentalism are natural bedfellows. To be a conservative is to believe that we have a duty to cherish and protect the natural world, and to pass on to future generations the beauty and resources that we have inherited.” Where is this unifying language in Europe’s climate policy?
This focus reinforces the perception that the green agenda is not truly about sustainable development but rather about projecting an image of moral superiority and first-to-market regulatory braggadocio. This has led to the belief that the policies are driven by an elite more interested in virtue signaling than in addressing the genuine economic concerns of ordinary Europeans. By failing to engage with a broader, more inclusive narrative of environmental care, the EU risks alienating those who feel left behind by the green transition, exacerbating the divide between policymakers and the public.
The EU’s economic policies come at the expense of small businesses and working-class citizens. During the financial crisis, the strict enforcement of austerity measures in countries like Greece and Spain left lasting scars, while more recent initiatives, such as the Digital Markets Act, have been condemned for stifling innovation and competition. A public confrontation between Thierry Breton and Elon Musk highlighted this tension, with Breton chastised for overstepping his authority. As Europe doubles down on regulation and condemnation, it continues to stifle industry and drive away much-needed outside investment.
If Europeans think this is helping sentiment, they should think again. Crafting regulation to combat the risks of artificial intelligence is one thing, but stifling innovation is quite another. Thierry Breton is not an elected politician; he was appointed, and this is perhaps one of the most glaring issues. How many unelected officials are influencing EU policy? It brings to mind the words of British Labour politician Tony Benn: “If you cannot get rid of the people who govern you, you do not live in a democratic system.” There is no small irony in quoting a left-leaning politician in order to admonish the modern Left!
Across Europe, political ‘firewalls’ have been erected to prevent mainstream politicians from working with parties deemed ‘far-right.’ These barriers, established under the guise of preserving democratic values, have undermined the very democracy they claim to protect. By refusing to engage with or even acknowledge the concerns of a significant portion of the electorate, left-leaning politicians and centrist leaders have effectively silenced voters who feel they have no voice in the political process.
This exclusionary tactic has only deepened the divide between the political class and the general public. Voters have responded by doubling down on their support for populist and eurosceptic parties. The refusal to collaborate across the political spectrum has left governments paralyzed, unable to address the issues that matter most to their citizens. Instead, these leaders cement their positions by doubling down on ideological purity, further alienating those they are supposed to represent.
Across Europe, right-wing parties will continue to make significant electoral gains. The spread is not merely a result of social media. Sweden has witnessed the Sweden Democrats rise to become the second-largest party, while Central and Eastern Europe has seen solid nationalist platforms with Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz in Hungary and the Law and Justice party in Poland. Austria’s Freedom Party and Spain’s VOX party have also surged, and national concerns are driving elections in Slovakia, Malta, and Czechia. Even in Germany, the Right has won regional elections—the first since the post-war period. While this is an obvious response to the current situation, it is not hard to imagine how Germans have been radicalized by Merkel’s decision to import 1.2 million men from culturally restrictive societies (official estimates suggest that around 70-80% of these immigrants were men, many between the ages of 18 and 34). Still, the establishment remains discombobulated, making allegations that these electoral results must be the work of ‘far-right Russian’ chatbots on Telegram.
At the moment, French leftists are attempting a far-fetched feat to impeach Emmanuel Macron. Meanwhile, Éric Ciotti, head of France’s Les Républicains, is launching a new right-wing party, Union des Droites pour la République (UDR), aimed at unifying the Right in France. This initiative seeks to align with Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National, moving away from centrist influences and strengthening the Gaullist tradition within the right-wing political landscape. The UDR will form a coalition with Rassemblement National, while holdovers from Les Républicains who refused to work with Rassemblement National will form a new parliamentary group called La Droite Républicaine.
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Britain is also a complete mess. In the July 2024 UK general election, Labour received 33.7% of the vote, the Conservatives secured 23.7%, and the Reform Party garnered 14.3%. Despite Labour’s relatively modest lead in the popular vote, they were able to secure a substantial majority of seats in Parliament from the UK’s First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system. As a result, Labour has a parliamentary majority. Labour treats this result as a mandate, despite the prime minister’s approval rating of a net negative of -16.
Is history about to repeat itself? Centrist and left-wing movements are reviving themes of social justice and anti-fascism reminiscent of the early 20th century, while debates over nationalism and sovereignty echo the tensions that once led to division and conflict, ultimately culminating in both World Wars. While the narrative is completely focused on right-wing extremism, it’s essential to remember that left-wing ideologies have historically driven some of the most notorious and violent campaigns of political terror.
A remedy: left-leaning parties should return to the center, dismantle the walls of name-calling and censorship, work with the right-wing, and focus on real-life issues instead of cementing their regulatory ineptitude. Yet, this seems unlikely. The media loop of broadcasters, journalists, and politicians continues to reinforce the same narrative without addressing the real issues needed to bridge the divide. It’s as if a monopoly of thought has hijacked the entire system.
As Dominic Cummings once observed, government systems often remain pathologically devoid of reason and action until faced with a severe crisis, ultimately leading to disaster. His warning rings true for Europe today. The growing voter revolt across the continent is a clear signal that the status quo is unsustainable. If leadership in Brussels and throughout Europe continues to ignore the legitimate concerns of its citizens, it risks further voter discontent and alienation. This is not propaganda; this is the result of once-in-a-century political indolence.
