EU farmers’ ‘revolt’ is another tonic for the far right, analysts say

Analysts interviewed by Lusa believe that the farmers’ revolt in several European countries is already being exploited by populists and could contribute to an even sharper turn to the radical right in the next European elections.

A growing number of European countries, such as France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Poland, are the scene of road blockades and farmers’ demonstrations as part of a protest movement joined by far-right and populist parties in an effort to channel protests. the voice of a sector that carries a lot of weight in Europe, including demographics and potential electorate – there are nine million farmers in the EU.

“There is a significant increase in farmer activity, on a scale we have not seen before. It didn’t come out of nowhere, I think it’s been brewing for some time,” said a spokesman for the Brussels-based Friends of Europe group. non-profit think tank specializing in European Union (EU) policy.

According to Dharmendra Kanani, there is a “combination of factors” explaining this protest movement, with the most significant being Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to the EU suspending customs duties on all products imported from Ukraine, which allowed the flow of much cheaper grains from this country, known as the “breadbasket of Europe”, into the community bloc, as well as a “green transition”.

According to the man responsible for Friends of Europe, the political class has failed to explain to farmers that “there will be a price to pay for significant green changes in agricultural production – the sector accounts for about 20% of greenhouse gas emissions.” greenhouse gas emissions, and “farmers have been included in the transition to a green economy too slow and late,” with “a large community still using traditional methodologies and not keeping up with technological advances.”

This community, made up largely of the poorest farmers, says “they feel attacked”, forced into “changes they don’t feel ready for”, and are also discriminated against because although the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has one From the largest financial packages of the community budget (this year’s budget allocates about 55 billion euros to CAP), the funds are distributed unevenly and they feel that they do not have the same support as large manufacturers and the private sector.

“Taking into account the connections to the community and the people close to us, namely family members of farmers, we can look at about 20 million people in terms of the impact and noise that this community can cause,” he says.

Also, Eric Maurice, a political scientist at the European Policy Center (EPC) think tank, noted that “the challenges farmers face vary from one country to another,” especially because “agricultural models are not the same, their exposure to foreign competition is different.” , as is its dependence on CAP funds,” but agrees that “they are united by their opposition to new policies related to climate change in Europe, especially fuel taxes and new environmental rules, which they consider a threat to their operations.”

“In the context of the elections and the preparation of the next legislative agenda, this will have implications as political pressure will be brought to bear on the EU to take the views of small businesses and farmers into account,” he said, noting that in recent months “the centre-right, both at national and EU level have already become more critical of the Green Deal and environmental regulations.”

Dharmendra Kanani emphasized that “this farmers’ uprising comes at a time when Europe as an idea is in its most fragile state since the post-World War II era,” namely as a result of the war in Ukraine and also in light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas , as well as the huge risk of escalating war in the Middle East after the Covid-19 pandemic, with this entire context of crises and discontent in the hands of the far right.

“The unfortunate steady march towards a more radical right is taking shape. Populism is very attractive because of the simplicity of its message, as it does not “complicate” the world, tries to explain a very complex world in very simple words and offers simple solutions. . This touches the hearts of people who feel lost, unsupported and excluded,” he said.

To farmers, the Friends of Europe spokesman continues, populists tell them that “the left wants to control your life” and urge them to reject the “green transition” in the name of fighting climate change, a phenomenon they deny, although “farming communities are among the most vulnerable and most affected by increasing extreme weather events.”

Both analysts agreed that, in addition to immigration, agriculture could be the new “political missile” of the far right and populists.

“The environmental pact has become a new attack angle for the far right in recent months, playing on people’s fears about the cost of the transition and threats to their way of life, especially in relation to their cars and your food supply. habits,” says Eric Maurice.

According to the EPC analyst, “the far right is very good at taking advantage of people’s concerns and fears, and is also very good at attacking the EU on all issues,” so “they are taking advantage of this new political opportunity with farmers.” without offering anything realistic” as they don’t even explain “how they will reform the CAP or adapt the Green Pact, for which huge investments have already been made, making it difficult to stop the transition completely.”

“We will see a very significant shift to the right, also driven by one of the most extensive and significant disinformation campaigns in history, in a year when half the world will vote. There will be a lot of manipulation of people’s emotions in Europe and beyond, and the European Parliament will have the biggest far-right bench in history,” he predicted.