Europe’s far right has a Trump problem after Republican US midterms wipeout

Right after Republicans suffered a historic loss in the American midterms, Europe's hard-right politicians began putting space between themselves and Donald Trump. Many of them like his stance on immigration, culture wars and globalism, but their own voters dislike his unpredictability, his shaky commitment to European defense and his tariffs. His threats toward Greenland have been especially awkward for parties that preach national sovereignty, according to The Guardian.

In France, Jordan Bardella of National Rally blamed American strikes on Iran for hurting economies worldwide, without naming the president. Germany's Alice Weidel of Alternative für Deutschland said Trump had pledged to avoid interventionist policy and then broke that promise. Italy's Roberto Vannacci said Trump had let down expectations. Spain's Santiago Abascal said he was concerned with Spain, not Michigan. Analyst Mujtaba Rahman of the Eurasia Group said these figures want the movement's momentum without the turmoil of Trump's presidency.

Parties out of power see a template: anger over prices and housing can win elections. Bardella promises tax cuts on energy, while Vox targets Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of Spain's 29 November vote. For Giorgia Meloni, already governing amid protests over fuel costs and inflation, the lesson is a warning.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian →