You don't need a degree in political science to understand why so many supposedly centrist European leaders have begun talking about immigration in terms that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago. Far-right parties across the continent have fuelled their rise by seizing on the issue as a political cosh with which to beat their more mainstream and established rivals, whom they accuse of complacency, inaction and a failure to defend borders.
In countries with ageing populations, there's a growing likelihood that many of us will be. But behind the dream of a cosy retirement, the economic reality is ever more complex. As populations age, the number of younger people entering the workforce is shrinking and that's a big problem for pay as you go state pension schemes where employees fund the pensions of an expanding cohort of retired people.
Starmer and Frederiksen, who have toughened immigration policies in their countries, called for a "modernisation of the interpretation" of the ECHR, which came into force in 1953. The leaders said their proposal is "so that the convention system, which we believe in, can evolve to reflect the challenges of the 21st century". They argued that without a change "the forces that seek to divide us will grow stronger," in a clear reference to surging support for hard-right political parties across Europe.
Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will meet the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgium's prime minister, Bart De Wever, for emergency talks on Friday as the EU races to save its sorely needed financing plan for Ukraine. The three leaders will dine in private in Brussels, a German government spokesperson said on Thursday, as Belgian officials continued to express strong opposition to the scheme, which involves the unprecedented use of frozen Russian assets.
Europe's leaders cannot stop talking about democracy. President Emmanuel Macron says he wants to kickstart a democratic resurgence, and Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, has warned of an axis of autocratic states targeting liberal democracy in Europe. Having promised to fight for what she calls European values, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has just announced a new democracy shield and a Centre for Democratic Resilience to prevent foreign interference and deal with external threats.
The dominant political force sweeping across Europe is the throw the bastards out party, whoever happens to be in power. Discontent and distrust spread as global democracy declines. Only 6.6% of the world's people live in a full democracy, according to the Economist's global index, down from 12.5% 10 years ago. Europe is still the most democratic place, but it's turbulent.
Where Donald Trump leads, Europe's nationalists and far right follow. After a Truth Social post last month, when Trump announced the US would designate antifa, the decentralised anti-fascist movement, a major terrorist organisation, his international allies swung into action. That same day, the Dutch parliament, where the largest party is Geert Wilders' far-right PVV, passed a resolution, noting the US decision and calling on the government to declare antifa a terrorist organisation in the Netherlands.
In Britain and France, nationalist populist parties consistently lead in the polls, indicating a significant shift towards authoritarian and xenophobic political forces among voters.
Orban celebrated the chaos wrought by the 'Trump tornado' and called on 'conservatives' to seize the opportunity it offers: "We have to go home, and everyone has to win their own election."
Marc Angel, co-president of the European Union's Intergroup, told the outlet he will be attending as a means of "defending the right to assemble as a fundamental European right" and "show Hungarians who believe in democracy and in Europe that they are not alone".
