5 July 2016

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO EUROPE’S INSURGENT PARTIES: PUTIN, MIGRATION AND PEOPLE POWER


UKIP’s triumph in securing a majority to leave the EU in the UK referendum was only the start of a broader trend of insurgent parties destabilising the EU.

• Insurgent parties currently hold 1,329 seats in 25 EU countries – and are playing a direct role in government in eight member states.

• Their weapon of choice is undoubtedly the referendum, and insurgent parties across te EU are pushing for at least 34 referenda in the coming years on various issues such as EU membership, eurozone membership, and refugee relocation quotas.

• Some key trends can be identified in their views on international affairs: they are sceptical about the EU, resent the United States, and are sympathetic to Russia. Most prefer borders closed, migration low, and trade protected. They all want to return power to the people through direct democracy.

• These parties could act as a significant block in upcoming EU Council plans for a migration compact with neighbouring transit countries, and many will oppose the exten

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