Will the Dutch election Push Europe Further Right?
Nov 24, 2023
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The hosts discuss the recent Dutch elections and the potential shift to the right in Europe. They highlight the victory of a populist, anti-immigration party in the Netherlands and explore the complexities of immigration policy. They also talk about the declining polling numbers of world leaders and upcoming changes to the podcast.
34:23
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Quick takeaways
The Dutch election result, with the far-right PVV party's leader winning, signifies a shift to the right in Dutch politics and raises concerns about the future of EU integration.
The decline in approval ratings for German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz due to a constitutional court ruling highlights challenges for Germany's fiscal policies and political stability.
Deep dives
Gert Wilders wins Dutch election, poised to become Prime Minister
Gert Wilders, leader of the far-right PVV party, has emerged as the winner of the Dutch election, securing a lead over the ruling party. This shift to the right in Dutch politics is seen as part of a broader trend across Europe. Despite previous opposition and being kept out of government, Wilders is now in a position to potentially lead a government coalition. The election results have both bolstered similar right-wing movements in other EU countries and raised concerns about the future of EU integration with a potential EU skeptic leader in the Netherlands.
Olaf Scholz's approval ratings plummeting
Olaf Scholz, the German Finance Minister and candidate for Chancellor, is facing a significant drop in approval ratings. This decline is attributed to the recent ruling by the German constitutional court, which deemed the coalition's plans to redirect spare COVID funds towards climate finance inconsistent with Germany's debt break. This ruling has highlighted the limited fiscal space in Germany, causing tensions within the coalition and creating an ideological divide. The situation not only poses challenges for Scholz and his coalition, but also raises concerns about Germany's fiscal policies and political stability.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's declining popularity
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is experiencing a steep decline in popularity, with approval ratings reaching a low point. His party, the ruling LDP, follows a thumb rule called 'Aoki's Law,' which suggests that if the combined approval ratings of the Prime Minister and the party fall below 50, it may be time for a change in leadership. Kishida's diminishing support raises uncertainty about his political future and the stability of Japanese politics overall. This situation highlights challenges faced by the ruling party in Japan's one-party state political system.
Donald Trump gains a widening lead over Biden
Donald Trump is seeing an increase in popularity, with polls indicating a widening lead over President Joe Biden. The current US economy, despite performing well compared to other developed countries, is being perceived negatively by the electorate, influencing their views on the government's handling of economic matters. Factors such as rising inflation, especially in consumer goods like eggs, contribute to this sentiment. Additionally, President Biden has not received sufficient credit for his handling of the recent Israel crisis. These factors contribute to Trump's growing advantage and raise concerns about Biden's ability to recover.
In today's episode Jack, Zac & Rory discuss the recent dutch elections and what that might mean for Europe as a whole, and whether Europe is shifting to the right.