The European Parliamentary elections are in May 2019. This year, more than previous MEP elections is likely to be profoundly consequential with a turnout that has not been previously seen.
The European Parliamentary elections are in May 2019. This year, more than previous MEP elections is likely to be profoundly consequential with a turnout that has not been previously seen.
According toĀ the Financial Times, it will be a showdown between the beleaguered French President Emmanuel Macron and the man voted by his own people as the most trusted and popular politician in history, Italyās Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. A battle between Globalists and Populists.
Mr. Salvini was already popular with Italian voters, but when he stood up to Brussels over his āItalianās firstā budget, the people of Italy only grew to love him more. In fact, in recent polls the Italian people said they see him as the real leader of Italy, even over the Prime Minister.
The populist Minister Salvini has challenged the outgoing French President Emmanuel Macronās pro-European agenda which interferes with individual countriesā sovereignty.
Many people in Italy now see Emmanuel Macron as the enemy of their country, as he embodies all that is imperialist about the EU.
Some of Macronās advisors have warned against a political showdown with Salvini because his own popularity has bottomed out in his own country, weakening his position. As Salviniās influence strengthens, Macronās influence weakens.
As one of the Yellow Vest protesters summed up Macronās āleadershipā: āOur elites are talking about the end of world when we are talking about the end of the month.ā
If the parties on the right can form a unified front potentially under Salvini, the elections could be the biggest overhaul of the EU since its founding.
The Financial Times states that āaccording to an aggregation of surveys byĀ Pollofpolls.eu, Mr. Salviniās League will surge from six per cent of the vote and five of Italyās seats in the European Parliament in 2014, to 33 per cent and 29 seats.
Franceās right is on course to win 21 per cent, pushing Mr Macronās La RĆ©publique En Marche! centrist party into second place, and giving Ms Le Pen a chance of redemption after a disappointing presidential election campaign in 2017.
Viktor Orbanās right-wing Fidesz party is almost certain to confirm its dominance in Hungary. The Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany looks likely to double its tally of seven per cent and seven seats.
Polandās conservative Law and Justice party is expected to win 41 per cent and 24 seats, up from 32 per cent and 19 seats.ā
It is no wonder, given Mr. Macronās tarnished image due to the Yellow Vests in his country, that Salvini is not expecting much of a challenge from the French President.
As he told Politico this month, āMacron is not a problem for me. He is a problem for the French peopleā.