Kerneuropa will finally have rallied behind teutonic economic management, for the small price of formalising the political oversight of these principles. What some seem to be painting as the next ‘Grand Bargain’ will in fact be the final capitulation to Berlin and Frankfurt’s brand of neoliberalism, and the end of any hope for Southern Europe escaping the economic crisis with its dignity.
There is a common thread in these votes, even if when we get into the details we find several differences. That is that there are strong forces across Europe pushing highly disruptive, anti-establishment messages and ideas.
Europe has faced significant challenges last year, and looks to be facing greater ones this year. But what will it take to halt this slide? Surely a return to the status quo cannot be the answer.
If someone asked me today, “do you think Marine Le Pen could win the French presidency next April?”, I would have to say without pause: certainly. After being rocked by Brexit and Trump’s electoral victory, the political centre ground has never looked more vulnerable to the extremes.
With the French economy still stagnant, President Hollande gears up for another round of policies to kick-start the French economy; commentators fear this will not be enough for permanent change however.
Memo on a few recent political developments in Europe – the aftermath of the French regional vote, outcome of CDU party conference on Monday, and the ongoing Spanish election campaign
Weekend Euro News update including the Commission’s proposal for a European border force, French regional election outcome, political violence in Germany and developments in the Brexit renegotiations
In Search of Europa 