The podcast explores the rise of far-right parties in the EU elections, the resignation of Israeli politician Benny Gantz, and the decline in investor interest in sustainability-focused stock funds. It discusses the impact of these events on global politics and financial markets.
Read more
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Far right parties gaining influence in EU elections impact policies on immigration and environment.
Global investors shift away from sustainability-focused stock funds due to lagging performance compared to conventional funds.
Deep dives
EU Elections: Shift to the Right
Far-right parties in the European Union made significant gains in the recent elections, particularly in Germany and France. While centrist parties still hold a majority, the far-right's influence is affecting policies on immigration and the environment. The Green Party, which saw success in 2019, faced losses this time as voters expressed concerns about rising costs and resistance to green initiatives.
Influence on Policy in the EU
The rise of far-right parties is causing centrist parties to adjust their policies, especially on issues like migration and emission cuts. This shift reflects a pull towards moderate positions to avoid losing votes. The influence of far-right movements is evident in policies like agriculture, where regulations are being approached more cautiously to address concerns from various sectors.
ESG Investing Trend
Global ESG sustainable funds experienced an outflow of $40 billion this year, signaling a shift in investor sentiment away from green investments. The performance of sustainable funds has lagged behind conventional equity funds, with returns showing a noticeable difference. Factors contributing to this decline include challenges faced by renewable energy companies and the impact of rising interest rates on growth stocks.
Far right parties make significant gains in the European Union elections, opposition politician Benny Gantz has resigned from Israel’s emergency government, and Iranian authorities have disqualified prominent moderates as candidates in the snap presidential election. Plus, global investors are turning their backs on sustainability-focused stock funds.
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prarkiti Panwar. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.