The rise of the far right in Europe and its impact on the USA: A deep analysis

The recently concluded European Union elections have left a political landscape marked by the advance of far-right parties in several countries across the continent. This triumph has shaken the European political class and has drawn attention in the United States, where questions arise about the implications of this outcome in the upcoming elections. Germany and France, two of the European powers, have witnessed the rising popularity of the far-right, leading to significant decisions such as the calling of early elections in France by President Emmanuel Macron. Discontent with globalization and immigration has been a key driving force behind the growing conservative and populist wave in Western democracies. While the victory of former President Donald Trump in the United States in 2016 was a prominent example of this phenomenon, it remains to be seen if the trends that have strengthened the right in Europe will translate into a second term for Trump in the November elections. The differences between the political dynamics in Europe and the United States are palpable, despite some surprising parallels. While it is likely that the political center will retain control of the EU parliament in Europe, in the United States the electoral contest is shaping up as a showdown between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, with a polarized electorate seeking alternatives. The resurgence of the right in Europe has been fueled by discontent stemming from the migration crisis, as well as regulations on climate change and other policies affecting specific sectors of the population. Economic stagnation in many European regions since the global recession of 2008 has exacerbated dissatisfaction with the status quo, propelling far-right parties to make significant advances in countries like Italy and Slovakia, and to become part of governing coalitions in nations such as Finland and Sweden. Support for Trump and the far-right in Europe has been concentrated primarily among rural voters with lower levels of education, expressing concerns about the economic and social changes brought about by globalization. Anti-immigrant and conservative rhetoric has resonated in these population sectors, creating a conducive environment for the rise of populist and conservative leaders. While Trump has established ties with leaders of the European far-right, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who advocates for restrictive immigration and LGBTQ+ rights policies, and has supported various conservative populists in Europe, there are significant differences regarding the defense of democracy. While Trump has questioned election results and promoted the false narrative of widespread fraud, European populists have shown greater respect for democratic processes. The political scenario in the United States presents a struggle between continuity represented by Biden and the return to Trumpism embodied by Donald Trump. As the elections approach, polarization and uncertainty mark the electoral landscape, with a citizenry divided between opposing visions of the direction the country should take. Despite the advances of the far-right in Europe, there have been limits to their political power, as seen in Poland where the conservative populist government lost ground in favor of a center-left coalition. In the UK, the Brexit victory does not necessarily translate into continued support for the conservatives, while in Hungary, signs of discontent with the current government have emerged. Ultimately, the evolution of European politics and its impact on the United States raise questions about the future of democracy, political stability, and power balances on both continents. The electoral contest in the United States will be a crucial gauge to measure the extent and influence of the far-right in world politics, and to determine if conservative populism can consolidate as a dominant force on the international stage.