The surge in support for populist parties across Europe in recent years is well documented.
Right-wing populists are in office in Poland, Hungary and Austria. And in the Czech Republic recently re-elected president Milos Zeman campaigned on an anti-immigration and Eurosceptic agenda.
Next month in Italy, the Five Star Movement could capitalise on anti-immigration sentiment and a stagnant economy in the country’s parliamentary elections.
But how should the European Union react? Are sanctions appropriate, or might they only serve to exacerbate the problem? And what are the consequences for French president Emmanuel Macron’s vision of further European integration?
Today’s World View podcast features European Editor Patrick Smyth, Eastern Europe Correspondent Daniel McLaughlin and Foreign Affairs Correspondent Ruadhán Mac Cormaic.
- World View is a weekly foreign affairs podcast from The Irish Times. Subscribe on Android, on Apple Podcasts, on Stitcher or on Soundcloud