As Brexit negotiations go down to the wire – well, another wire, possibly more or maybe less significant than the previous ones – European leaders are scrambling to figure out what can, might, and should be done to avert a no-deal Brexit and bring some clarity and stability to the regional economy, beginning with when Brexit should actually happen. But as the negotiations drag on, the possible courses of action don’t appear to be winnowing down at all.
- In the UK, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond continues to call for a second referendum, putting him on the hardline Brexiteer extremely naughty list (tabloids like the word “traitor”).
- More British pols and pundits are also supporting the proposal for permanent membership in a customs union with Europe, which could be included as an option in the aforementioned second referendum (see above re: naughty traitors). This option will rise or fall on the support of hard-left opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is of course constantly triangulating his options with an eye to becoming PM.
- As the UK drifts towards… well, something not good, a growing number of Brits are expressing contempt for their current leaders, regrets about referenda as a tool of policy making, and disillusionment with the entire political system: 56% believe the country is in decline and 63% believe politics is rigged in favor of the rich, a new survey finds.
But that doesn’t mean everyone in Europe is standing still. Far from it: across the continent far-right movements are on the march.
- Douglas Murray at the Spectator notes that after a year in office as both deputy prime minister and interior minister, which many had hoped would clip his wings, Matteo Salvini is instead going from strength to strength, aided by external events, social media and his own quick-witted, relatable political style. Any hopes that inexperienced populists crusaders would quickly into the sands of practical day-to-day government look increasingly naive.
- Over in France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is inaugurating a new kind of political fundraising, asking supporters to crowdfund the movement with loans, rather than donations, because French banks refuse to pony up due to reputational risks – jibing nicely with the movement’s anti-elite stance. The loans will carry a 5% yield, making them a fairly attractive investment (setting aside the ideological question) in an era of rock-bottom bonds.
- Perhaps most significantly, the various national far-right movements are moving quickly to increase their cross-national cooperation. On Monday Salvini hosted an international far-right conference in Milan, where he inveighed against EU elites, declaring, “Those who are wrecking the European dream are bureaucrats and bankers.” Although mainstream Italian politicians immediately dismissed the sparsely attended conference as a failure, the mere fact that it occurred shows once again that the populist challengers are both more ambitious and nuanced than many give them credit for. Watch this space.
