EU under pressure as ‘fear’ fuelling rise of right wing parties in the bloc

European parliamentary elections in June could be as crucial as the US presidential race, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned. He expressed concern that voters’ fear of the unknown might lead them to support right-wing populist parties.

Borrell believes fear generates a security response and urged voters to choose political forces providing a clear analysis.

Reviewing the EU’s status amid conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Borrell emphasised the potential threat to the bloc’s future. He fears a rapid change of course is needed to avoid defeat in Ukraine, claiming that Putin aims for a broader victory.

On Gaza, he argued that defeating Hamas requires better ideas, not just military actions.

He told The Guardian: “I am afraid of fear, I am afraid Europeans vote because they are afraid. It’s scientifically proven that fear in the face of the unknown and uncertainty generates a hormone that calls for a security response. This is a fact.

“We are invaded by a media world of threats where we learn about the daily crimes of evil or war, and it creates a hormonal activity directed by fear.

“Parties that can play on fear in human beings and offer bad responses to good questions can attract the support from the European population.”

Borrell acknowledged Europe’s appeal globally but warned of dangers. He cautioned against parties exploiting fear, and gaining support by offering inadequate solutions to valid concerns about migration and living standards.

He said: “We are a magnet for hundreds of thousands of people who want to come to live in Europe. And it’s easy to understand why when we compare our standard of living. We are the best combination of political freedom, economic prosperity, and social cohesion that humankind has been able to create.”

Highlighting the EU’s importance, Borrell stressed its role in preventing Russia from winning the war in Ukraine and protecting the project from damage. He questioned if Europe is ready to do whatever it takes and prepares for a prolonged, intense conflict.

“Maybe this is the moment in which we have to look at the danger coming from a great power which threatens our democracy, which threatens Europe itself, not only Ukraine. And if we don’t change course rapidly, if we don’t mobilise all our capacities, it will let Putin win the war in Ukraine. Similarly, If we are not able to stop the tragedy which is happening in Gaza, I think our project will be very much damaged.

“The important thing is what we can do in order to avoid Russia winning the war. What are we ready to do? Are we really ready to do everything it takes? This is the question that we have to put ourselves…

“Putin cannot be satisfied with a piece of Ukraine and to let the rest of Ukraine belong to the European Union, but he cannot be satisfied with a limited territorial victory. He will not give up the war, especially not before the American election, which may present him with a much more favourable scenario. So we must prepare for a conflict of high intensity for a long time,” Borrell said.

“Putin has decided to continue the war until the final victory,” he said.