Economist Podcasts Continental breakfast: European elections
May 28, 2019
Jeremy Cliff, the Brussels bureau chief for The Economist, dives into the shifting political terrain in Europe, highlighting the rise of populist parties and the unexpected strength of the Green Party. He discusses how traditional parties face declining voter support and examines the implications of these elections for the EU parliament. The conversation also touches on the transformative effects of e-commerce on retail, spotlighting the growth of industrial real estate. Plus, a light-hearted nod to quinoa's popularity adds a culinary twist to the discussion.
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European Election Trends
- Traditional parties struggled in the European Parliament elections.
- Green parties performed well, and populist parties saw gains but less than predicted.
Political Fragmentation
- The European Parliament elections showed fragmentation of the traditional two-party system.
- Smaller parties, including Greens and Liberals, gained seats from the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats.
Brexit Party's UK Win
- Nigel Farage's Brexit Party won in the UK, uniting voters dissatisfied with Brexit's handling.
- Pro-Remain parties like the Liberal Democrats also saw increased support.