A new report has argued that the “obvious whiteness” of the European Union’s politics is at odds with the bloc’s “core values”
The report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) argued growing numbers feel “excluded” or “disillusioned” in the EU, in particular people of colour and Muslims.
It also found young voters feel the bloc is “too white” “too western” or “too boomer.”
However, the report said polling consistently showed large numbers of citizens in almost every EU member state continue to trust the bloc, are optimistic about its future and feel attached to it.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Reuters
While surveys consistently show younger voters to be more pro-EU and tolerant than older generations, young people showed limited interest in European elections. Those younger people who did take part in elections tended to vote for hard-right and anti-immigration parties, reports The Guardian.
The AfD came a close second among young German voters in this year’s European elections, while in Poland the radical right Confederation won the youth vote with about 30 per cent. In France, a third of the young voted for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN).
The report’s author Pawel Zerka said this reflects a sense of not being represented by established political forces, which are often viewed as “boomer” parties.
It also stated that Europeans of colour have been exposed to a huge surge in xenophobic narratives since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, with Muslims across the bloc feeling alienated by many governments’ support for Israel.
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People attend an election campaign rally for the Thuringia state elections
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Earlier this year, senior members of the AfD reportedly attended a meeting where plans for mass deportations of citizens of foreign origin were discussed. The AfD has sought to distance itself from the deportation proposal aired at a meeting, saying it is not party policy.
The EU report cites this debate in Germany as well as the use of anti-Muslim tropes by the likes of AfD and Italy’s Lega plus the gradual mainstreaming of a “xenophobic worldview.”
Zerka has called for parties to counter the challenge, by “urgently diversifying” their voting base and membership. Countries could follow Austria, Belgium and Germany by lowering the voting age, and politicians must discuss much more with young people.
He added that pro-European politicians must “resist the temptation of staying quiet on … migration and diversity for short-term electoral gain” and call out xenophobia.”
Marine Le Pen saw her party storm to victory in the European electionsGettyThe report found that pro-Europeanism in central and eastern Europe was also a growing concern, with voter turnout in the European elections below 40 per cent in seven out of the 11 countries in the region reflecting a cooled enthusiasm.
Data suggests some central and eastern Europeans feel let down with tangible benefits of EU membership, while election results in countries such as Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Croatia showed increasing normalisation of Euroscepticism.