Opinion C Raja Mohan writes: Following Trump, a push to Make Europe Great Again

For instance, Western conservatives share common ground with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who promotes Russian nationalism and celebrates traditional Russian culture and values. Similarly, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s worldview is rooted in nationalism and a claim to an exceptional Sinic civilisation. Ironically, Russia and China once the champions of enlightenment universalism are aligned more closely with Western conservatism on nationalism, traditional values, and sovereignty. The implications of these connections remain to be seen, but they cut across many presumed fault lines of the international system today.

For now, though, the focus is on the ideological battles within the West. They culminated in Trump’s victory in the US elections last year. Europe is now facing its own challenges, including the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s advancements in the auto industry.

Trump is exerting direct pressure on European economic and security policies and even demanding an important part of its territory. His ally, Elon Musk, is using his platform X to challenge the traditional liberal and centrist consensus in European politics by supporting parties labelled as far-right. Recently, Musk has engaged quite vigorously with British and German politics. He launched a tirade against unchecked immigration and British tolerance of crimes in the name of respecting cultural diversity. In Germany, he has endorsed the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is currently polling second after the conservative Christian Democratic Union.

These external and internal pressures are poised to reshape the European political landscape this year. Whether this will lead to a “great” Europe remains uncertain, but change is imminent.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserts that Europe is “already great”, citing its unique social market economy, robust trade sector, and higher living standards compared to global competitors. However, she acknowledges the need for change, stating that Europe has relied on global trade, cheap Russian energy, and US security for too long. To sustain growth over the next 25 years, Europe must adapt, prompting her to commission a report on European competitiveness from Mario Draghi. Von der Leyen is expected to announce this week a road map to implement some of Draghi report’s recommendations.

The relationship between Europe and major powers like Russia, China, and the US is no longer a matter of concern for high-state policy; it is being influenced by public sentiment on the street.

Various European conservative parties are gathering in Brussels this week to find strategies to emulate Trump’s electoral and policy success. Although these parties lack a unified platform like the Republican Party, they hope to influence upcoming elections across Europe. While they may not form governments independently, their growing strength has shifted the centrist parties further to the right, weakening the traditional consensus against far-right parties.

Across Europe, right-wing movements are gaining traction due to voter worries about immigration, economic stagnation, cultural identity, and dissatisfaction with the current political order. The collapse of Germany’s governing coalition and the upcoming election in February 2025 highlight this urgency. The AfD has capitalised on the German discontent with traditional parties, becoming a serious contender in federal elections. Similar trends are observable in Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands, where right-wing populism is challenging the political mainstream.

European elites used to view their political culture as distinct, if not superior, to that of the US. However, American political influence has increasingly permeated European societies. Trump’s MAGA movement has fuelled the resurgence of the far-right in Europe, fostering unprecedented connections between populist forces across the Atlantic.

Trump’s success has inspired nationalist movements in the West, offering a model for challenging established political elites. His strong stance against illegal immigration, “woke” ideology, and globalisation resonates with many European leaders. In a region that has bet its future on supra-national European Union, there is a growing desire to reclaim national identity and political autonomy.

Several factors have contributed to the rise of radical right movements in Europe:

Economic anxiety: Years of stagnation, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, have led to inflation, housing shortages, and rising inequality. The right has exploited these issues, promoting protectionist policies and blaming immigrants for economic problems.

Concerns about immigration: The influx of migrants has raised fears regarding cultural identity and security. Far-right leaders have intensified these concerns, framing immigrants as threats to national stability.

Cultural displacement: Globalisation and multiculturalism have led to feelings of cultural erosion among some populations. The radical right positions itself as a defender of traditional values against progressive policies.

Disenchantment with the establishment: Many voters view mainstream political parties as elitist and unresponsive. Far-right parties present themselves as alternatives, promising to restore power to the people.

Normalisation of extremist rhetoric: Social media and alternative media have made radical right ideas more mainstream.

Disillusionment with the EU: Many right-wing groups are Eurosceptic, challenging EU policies on migration, climate change, and economic integration. This scepticism threatens collective action on shared challenges.

Similar to the US, traditional structures of Western social, political, and economic organisation are being challenged from the right in Europe. This political upheaval increases the pressure for a new compact between elites and the populace in the West. The outcome of this internal battle in the West will have profound implications for India and the world. With India’s rising stakes in the West, Delhi must pay closer attention to the internal political changes within the US and Europe and their impact on the global economy and geopolitics.

Additionally, Indian political parties should shed their isolationism, renew their historical connections to Western political parties and engage with emerging forces in Europe and North America.

The writer is contributing editor on international affairs for The Indian Express.