What Does the Right-Wing Surge in EU Elections mean for the US and Europe?

Several right-wing parties gained seats in the EU's elections over the weekend, while the coalition in the center held its ground, drawing media perspectives on what it means for the U.S. and greater West.

From the Left: An analysis from CNN (Lean Left bias) compared the results to the United Kingdom’s 2016 "Brexit" vote to leave the European Union, claiming a “populist revolt that foreshadowed Donald Trump’s shock outsider election win a few months later.” It questioned if "political lightning about to strike twice?” and suggested the results should be concerning to President Joe Biden. The writer concluded that far-right European politicians capitalized on “public anger over what is perceived to be out-of-control migration, the pain of voters facing high prices and the cost to individuals of fighting climate change;” themes similar to Trump’s 2024 campaign. 

From the Right: The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board (Lean Right bias) determined the outcome “doesn’t mean Europeans don’t want the European Union, but it does signify they want an EU that serves them better.” It said the results are “triggering the usual hyperventilation that wins for such parties herald the march of fascist jackboots in the streets," and that "European voters are smarter than that.” The board argued right-wing parties didn’t win because voters are moving to the right, but because right-wing leaders have moved toward the center on many issues, stating, “All of this sounds like the cut and thrust of normal democratic politics rather than the descent into fascism conjured by alarmist elites on the left.”