Paul Hannon and Eric Sylvers
WSJ, Apr. 12, 2022
“Europe’s key weakness is a lack of geopolitical or risk perspective on energy policy, at national or at EU level.”
Surging food and fuel prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are fueling discontent across Europe, testing Western democracies’ political resilience.
The first round of France’s presidential election on Sunday saw right-wing populist Marine Le Pen get 22.9% of the vote on the back of a campaign focused on voters’ dwindling purchasing power. Her far-left rival, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, whose campaign focused on prices, wages and welfare benefits, wasn’t far behind, with 22% of votes.
From France to Spain, Germany and Greece, a combination of near-stagnant wages and rising prices is sparking protests and piling pressure on governments fragilized by years of unpopular Covid-19 restrictions.
Noemie Bisserbe contributed to this article.
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