The recent gains of the far right in regional elections in East Germany have caused a stir as Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left coalition tries to regain control. In response to a 33% increase in irregular border crossings, Germany has tightened border controls, temporarily suspending the Schengen system. The ruling coalition hopes that this move will help win back voters in upcoming regional elections in East Germany. Meanwhile, Hungary is threatening to bus asylum seekers to Brussels in retaliation for a fine imposed by the EU Commission, sparking criticism from Belgium and the EU Commission. These events reflect the influence of populism in European elections and the ongoing immigration debate.
In the United States, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris recently had a televised debate, with polls showing Harris as the clear winner. The upcoming presidential election is considered crucial for the survival of democracy, with far-right populism making a strong impact on the political landscape. Ben Ansell, a political scientist, notes that democracy may not be in decline based on recent election results worldwide. Despite concerns about identity politics and misinformation, Ansell believes that people have always voted based on their demographics. Younger voters are expected to play a significant role in the US elections, with Harris leading among this demographic. The growing gender gap in voting, with women leaning towards Harris and men towards Trump, may be influenced by factors such as the presence of a woman on the ballot and issues like abortion.
Overall, the rise of populism in elections across Europe and the US is shaping immigration policies and political debates. Germany’s tightening of border controls and Hungary’s threat to bus asylum seekers reflect the tensions surrounding immigration in Europe. In the US, the upcoming presidential election is seen as a critical moment for democracy, with far-right populism posing a challenge to the political landscape. Despite concerns about identity politics and misinformation, recent election results worldwide suggest that democracy may not be in decline. Younger voters are expected to have a significant impact on the US elections, with a gender divide also evident in voting patterns. The influence of populism on election outcomes and policy decisions underscores the ongoing debate on immigration and the future of democracy.
