What can Trump learn from Europe as he fights for Gen-Z voters?

National Rally and AfD, once unacceptable to young voters, have managed to reach them and win them over with savvy social media strategies.

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It’s been dubbed “the year of the election”. Throughout 2024, democracies across the west have seen millions of voters cast votes already this year — and on 5 November, the world’s oldest continuously operating democracy, the US, will elect a president, the entire House of Representatives and one-third of its Senate.

With many of the same issues attracting the focus of politicians, parties and voters on both sides of the Atlantic, Euronews asks: What can Europe’s myriad elections in 2024 tell us about the upcoming vote in the US?

This past April, as the European Parliament elections were ramping up, Germany’s 66-year-old chancellor, Olaf Scholz, created a TikTok account.

After years of ignoring the fast-growing Chinese social media platform, the German leader joined TikTok in hopes of gaining support with Germany’s younger voters.

“Go where the citizens are and inform them there,” was the rationale laid out by government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit.

TikTok is the largest online platform for members of now-voting eligible Generation Z. More than 70% of “Zoomers” worldwide use TikTok, far outstripping the general population.

And the platform has been key to the growth of various far-right parties throughout Europe, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) and France’s National Rally (RN).

Keen to improve its image with Germany’s youth, AfD has worked tirelessly to become TikTok’s most active political party in Germany, and controversial party leaders including Maximilian Krah have gained large followings over the past year by posting short videos with a large reach.

With June’s EU vote and a series of German state elections now in the rearview mirror, it appears the strategy worked. In June, AfD grew its share with voters 16-29 years old by 11 points compared to the 2019 EU elections — and in September’s regional election in Thuringia, 38% of voters under 25 years of age voted for AfD, more than double the result of the age group’s second choice of party, Die Linke.

In France, meanwhile, a similar rightward trend among young voters is coming into view.

Marine Le Pen’s young protégé, RN leader Jordan Bardella, is another keen user of social media, and his profile was crucial to RN’s growth in 2024.

With 2 million TikTok followers, Bardella is the third most followed French politician on the platform, trailing only President Emmanuel Macron (5 million) and left-wing firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon (2.6 million). But the devil is in the detail, and Bardella’s account has more likes and higher engagement rates than his competitors.

Once viewed as too extreme to govern, RN has benefited from a combination of strategic rebranding as well as the age-old factor of time, and its relative successes in 2024 have clearly been bolstered by a surge in support among French youth.

Despite the party’s controversial history and connections to past fascist movements, many young French voters see RN as an alternative to the status quo of Macron’s liberal coalition or the smattering of left-wing parties that comprised the National Popular Front in this summer’s parliamentary vote.

In June’s EU elections, RN achieved a historic percentage of the youth vote en route to their largest-ever allotment of MEPs. Exit polls showed that the far-right party gobbled up 32% of the under-35-year-old vote, while Macron’s coalition achieved just 5% of it. In the subsequent snap election for French parliament, RN found similar success with voters under 35.

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Like AfD, RN achieved this success partially by tailoring social media messaging for younger audiences, a strategy that allowed them to structure their ideological messages in a way that connected to younger voters.

In essence, TikTok became a tool to shape existing narratives into a message that connected with the issues plaguing many of Europe’s young people.

Issues driving the vote

One of AfD’s most common campaign themes over the past year has been “peace in Europe”. Critics in Germany and across Europe have lambasted the German party for being pro-Russian.

Yet AfD’s leaders have successfully used TikTok and other social media platforms to argue that young people’s lives are being made harder because Germany’s government and establishment parties are focusing instead on non-German issues such as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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European-wide issues, such as the housing crisis, stagnant wages and poor job opportunities, were wrapped into a singular message that if peace in Europe can only be achieved, then young voters’ immediate problems could be fixed.

The same tactic was used to campaign on migration, which both AfD and RN connected to the many obstacles in young voters’ lives.

In 2019, climate change and environmental concerns drove many young European voters to support green and liberal parties across the EU. But while a study by the Institute for Global Affairs shows that environmental issues remain a top priority for younger voters, the lines are less clear than they were five years ago.

Today, “poor decision-making by the political elite” has risen to become younger voters’ second-biggest concern — followed by migration.

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This shift has presented a unique opportunity for Europe’s right, signalling that younger voters have become increasingly diverse in their priorities.

It’s not just France and Germany showing this trend. In the Netherlands, Greet Wilders and his Freedom Party increased the youth vote by 7% in their election win last year.

In Portugal, far-right party Chega jumped to a comfortable third-place position in Lisbon’s Parliament, partially riding a social media-driven campaign geared towards younger voters upset with the establishment.

Far-right parties from Spain to Finland have also enjoyed greater-than-normal levels of support from young voters.

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With establishment centrist or left-wing parties still in control in many capitals across Europe, including Brussels, the shift is unlikely to stop. If confidence continues to wane in Europe’s governments, far-right parties will continue to present an alternative for young voters seeking a change to the status quo.

Youth vote trending right

Citizens of the US face many of the same key issues as their counterparts in Europe, with housing costs, stagnant pay and inflation have all created major issues for younger voters. And US strategists on both sides of the aisle have recognised this.

For the last 60 years, the US youth vote has reliably gone to the Democrats. In many elections, Democratic campaigns have depended on driving up the under-35 demographic to win narrow outcomes.

That much was true in 2020, Joe Biden won the youth vote by a margin of 61-36 — an 11-point improvement on Hillary Clinton’s result in 2016. Given the narrowness of the 2020 result, high youth turnout for Biden arguably won him the election.

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This year looked more difficult. Before the president dropped out of the race in July, a smattering of polls conducted between May and July showed Biden still leading Trump among the youngest voters, but only by small margins; one PBS poll from June even showed Trump ahead of Biden when including other candidates, such as RFK Jr (now no longer running) and the Green Party’s Jill Stein.

The numbers were jarring for the Democrats, and may have played a role in convincing the president to step down from his re-election bid.

Since accepting the Democratic nomination in the summer, Kamala Harris has made strides in recapturing young voters. A new CNBC poll shows that Harris is back to leading with voters under 34 by a 20% margin, 60%-40% — numbers more in line with the 2020 result.

However, data for young voters tends to be more variable and less reliably predictive than with other demographics, and that has thrown up conflicting polling results.

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According to a September SurveyUSA poll, Trump held a four-point advantage with Gen-Z voters, beating Harris 50-46. And in the key swing state of Arizona, where Biden won an ultra-narrow victory in 2020, Harris is struggling with the youth demographic.

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll found her leading Trump by just 9% with voters under 30 in the state — and the same poll put Trump ahead by 5 points in the state as a whole.

The tightening youth vote shows an ongoing trend reminiscent of Europe. As young European men lead the shift right, the trend is even more noticeable in the US.

While the US’ young women remain strongly liberal, driven largely by the crucial issue of abortion rights, young men are growing more conservative. In 2022’s midterm elections, Gen-Z women voted Democratic at a 72% rate. In that same election cycle, Gen-Z men split almost evenly, with 52% voting for the Democrats.

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The Trump campaign sees the trend. In recent months, the former President has made guest appearances on an array of podcasts with audiences comprised largely of young men.

This week, it was announced that Trump would be a guest on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Rogan is a culturally important figure, especially for many young men, with over 11 million listeners per episode.

Still, the path to winning “Zoomers” remains an uphill battle for the Republicans. Unlike Europe’s left, Harris and the Democrats lead the battle on social media, especially TikTok.

Despite major investments made by Trump’s campaign, the former president remains less popular there: negative-Trump posts on the platform outweigh negative-Harris posts by a 2-to-1 margin, according to Pew Research, while 55% of US TikTok users identify as Democrats and just 39% as Republicans.

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However, in an election that could come down to just a few thousand voters in a handful of states, every vote matters. And if the trend we saw in Europe continues in the US, Trump may only need to peel 5-15% of Gen-Z voters away from the left to shift the outcome in his favour.

This is part two of a two-part series where Euronews explores the similarities between Europe and America’s 2024 elections. Read the first part on how European elections highlighted voter dissatisfaction and a shift towards anti-establishment parties, a trend that could influence the US elections, here.

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India vs Germany Highlights, Bilateral Hockey Series 2024: India Thrash Germany 5-3 In 2nd Game, But Lose Series By… | Hockey News

India vs Germany Hockey, Bilateral Series 2024© Hockey India




India vs Germany Hockey Highlights: Despite winning the second Test 5-3 and levelling the series, India lost the trophy as the series was decided by a penalty shootout, which was won 3-1 by Germany. In the game, India conceded the first goal and trailed 0-1 at half-time. However, India slammed in four goals in the third quarter, with Harmanpreet Singh bagging two. Sukhjeet also scored two goals while Abhishek got one, as India slammed in five goals. However, Harmanpreet and Abhishek rued crucial penalty misses, as India lost the shootout. 

Bilateral Hockey Series 2024 Highlights: India vs Germany Highlights, From New Delhi







  • 17:23 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Thank you!

    That’s a wrap. A game that got more and more exciting as the match went on. India showed the prowess of their team today, with a thumping 5-3 win. They may have lost the shootout and the trophy, but many positives to take home regarding Indian hockey.

    It was a pleasure bringing you the action on NDTV SPORTS. Stay tuned right here, for all the latest and live updates from the world of sports.

    Thank you! Goodbye.

  • 17:18 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Disappointment for India

    No doubt a bit of a letdown for India after they made a stunning comeback in the match. Harmanpreet Singh is awarded ‘Player of the Match’, but he will be rueing his penalty shootout miss.

  • 17:13 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Germany score! Germany win!

    Germany slot in the final penalty of the shootout. They seal the shootout 3-1. Major disappointment for India, despite winning today’s match. Germany will take home the trophy.

    IND 1-3 GER (After penalty shootout)

  • 17:09 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Germany lead 2-1!

    Germany convert their fourth goal! India must score now. And they do! Aditya scored, but was it before the 7-second timer got over? THE GOAL STANDS. India are still alive.

    IND 1-2 GER

  • 17:08 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Both nations miss third stroke!

    Krishnan B Pathak is filling the boots of PR Sreejesh excellently now, but India miss too. Pressure on India.

  • 17:04 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Germany miss! India score

    Great save by Krishnan B Pathak. And then Abhishek scores his for India. 1-1! The goal is disallowed after the referral.

  • 17:03 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: India miss!

    Captian Harmanpreet Singh squanders his penalty shootout stroke! Poor shot from the captain, rare mistake.

    IND 0-1 GER 

  • 17:02 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Germany score!

    Germany lead 1-0 in the shootout, they convert their first.

    IND 0-1 GER

  • 17:01 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Shootout set to start

    Germany wins the toss ahead of the shootout. The rules? 5 shots, striker runs in and has 7 seconds to score.

    India choose Krishnan B Pathak as their goalkeeper for the shootout. This is India’s first penalty shootout after PR Sreejesh’s retirement.

  • 16:59 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Match ends!

    A stunning victory for India. Germany scored goals at the beginning and at the end. They even led at half-time. But a decisive third quarter, where India scored four goals, changed the tide of the game completely. 

    Now then, who wins the penalty shootout? Stay tuned.

    IND 5-3 GER (FT)

  • 16:55 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Germany GOAL!

    Just 30 seconds left in the clock, but Germany get a confidence-boosting goal right at the end. India take a video referral, but a goal is confirmed.

    IND 5-3 (Q4: 15′)

  • 16:51 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Shootout incoming

    As India are set to level the two-match Test series, it will be decided by a shootout at the end of this game. As it stands, India are winning 5-2.

    IND 5-2 GER (Q4: 14′)

  • 16:48 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Germany get late consolation

    Germany score! Late in the game, Germany get a second goal, nothing but a consolation though.

    IND 5-2 GER (Q4: 12′)

  • 16:40 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Big save!

    Aditya dances in between two defenders, and is denied only because of a great save by the German goalkeeper. India continue to excel.

    IND 5-1 GER (Q4: 8′)

  • 16:35 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: FIVE FOR INDIA!

    Sukhjeet again! Germany have committed men forward, and India hit them on the counter. Sukhjeet rounds the goalkeeper and slots in India’s fifth goal. 

    IND 5-1 GER (Q4: 3′)

  • 16:33 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Q4 starts

    Germany are down by three goals, but can they pull off an incredible comeback in the fourth and final quarter? It’s time to find out.

    IND 4-1 GER (Q4: 1′)

  • 16:30 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Q3 ends

    WOW. What a quarter. India have not only taken the lead, they have almost certainly sealed the win too. In just 15 minutes. Fabulous stuff. Harmanpreet Singh with a PC brace, Sukhjeet and Abhishek as well on the scoresheet.

    India ran riot!

    IND 4-1 GER (Q3)

  • 16:28 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: India score again! 4!

    Abhishek scores now! India are running away with it. This game is all but over now, what a third quarter from India. Spectacular.

    IND 4-1 GER (Q3: 14′)

  • 16:26 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: GOAL INDIA! 3-1!

    India are running rampage. Harmanpreet Singh strikes again! Two PCs converted in the space of two minutes. India have gone from 0-1 down to 3-1 up inside 15 minutes!

    IND 3-1 GER (Q3: 13′)

  • 16:23 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: GOAL INDIA!

    Harmanpreet Singh! Take a bow, captain!

    Fantastic. At long last. The captain delivers and smacks it in to give India the lead.

    IND 2-1 GER (Q3: 12′)

  • 16:22 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Another PC for India

    Less than four minutes left in the third quarter. It has been a lot of India in offense, and they earn another chance to strike at the German goal.

    IND 1-1 GER (12′)

  • 16:19 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: India miss PCs!

    Many penalty corner chances squandered by India! They get quite a few cracks at it, but that all-important go-ahead goal has not come. 

    IND 1-1 GER (Q3: 9′)

  • 16:12 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: GOAL INDIA!

    Sukhjeet scores! India score in the third quarter. A brilliant pass from the left side and Sukhjeet has the easy job of getting his stick to the end of it. Well-built goal by India, and the drought ends! It’s all square.

    IND 1-1 GER (Q3: 4′)

  • 15:59 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Half-time

    That’s the end of the second quarter, signalling half-time in the second Test between India and Germany. India still yet to find a goal across 90 minutes of hockey over the two games, while Germany still hold on to their lead after a first quarter goal.

    Lots of improvement needed, particularly in efficiency, for India.

    IND 0-1 GER (HT)

  • 15:55 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Late PC for Germany

    Germany have a late penalty corner. Just over two minutes left on the clock. Can Germany take advantage and double India’s misery?

    The answer is no. Not well set up by Germany, and they don’t get a good shot away.

    IND 0-1 GER (Q2: 14′)

  • 15:44 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: What’s happening with PCs?

    Again, India fail to make a PC count. Once again, it is the halting that is the problem. India get lucky as they intercept a Germany counter-attack quickly.

    IND 0-1 GER (6′)

  • 15:43 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Germany squander PC

    PC for Germany, but they completely miss it. India had the chance to counter, but the long pass goes astray.

    Moments later, India almost score with Mandeep Singh, but get a PC!

    IND 0-1 GER (5′)

  • 15:38 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Q2 underway

    India continue attacking from left to right as the second quarter gets underway. Can India polish their end product and find an equaliser?

    IND 0-1 GER (Q2: 1′)

  • 15:37 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Q1 ends

    End of the first quarter. Positives to take for India, but they also need to be more clinical and on-point. Germany lead after a brilliant counter-attack goal in the 7th minute.

    IND 0-1 GER (Q1)

  • 15:34 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: PC blocked

    Better from India, and Harmanpreet gets a firm stroke in, but a superb save once again by Germany. India have created chances, but it has been a great performance by the German goalkeeper.

    IND 0-1 GER (15′)

  • 15:33 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: PC for India

    Only 66 seconds left on the clock in the first quarter, but India now have a late opportunity. Sanjay earns it on the right wing.

    IND 0-1 GER (14′)

  • 15:30 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Now PC for Germany!

    Fabulous counter-attack again by Germany, and they win a PC as the ball strikes Jarmanpreet on the heel. Not ideal defending by India’s no. 4. Germany fire wide from the PC!

    IND 0-1 GER (12′)

  • 15:29 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Oh dear India

    Once again, India botch the PC completely. No firm shot from India, and they’re lucky to survive a counter-attack as Germany mess it up too.

    IND 0-1 GER (12′)

  • 15:28 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: India miss!

    A huge mess-up by India, and they don’t even get a shot away. Germany hit India with a lightning quick counter-attack, and nearly score, but miss a tap-in!

    Less than 30 seconds later, another PC for India! This game is going back and forth rapidly.

    IND 0-1 GER (11′)

  • 15:27 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: PC India!

    Penalty corner awarded to India! This time it stands, has clearly struck the foot of the German defender. Can Harmanpreet Singh work his magic?

    IND 0-1 GER (10′)

  • 15:26 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: Great save by Germany!

    Excellent combination play between Jarmanpreet Singh and Samsher Singh on the right wing, the former drives a low ball into the area but Aditya’s shot is brilliantly saved by the Germany goalkeeper. 

    IND 0-1 GER (9′)

  • 15:23 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: GOAL GERMANY!

    Completely against the run of play, Germany have scored the first goal of the match. Their striker is left empty in the D-area, and he converts with their first shot of the game. Huge early setback for India, but there’s time to make a comeback.

    IND 0-1 GER (7′)

  • 15:19 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: No PC!

    There is a back stick by an Indian player, so Germany save their referral and get a free-hit. India don’t get the penalty corner.

    IND 0-0 GER (4′)

  • 15:17 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: How did India miss?

    Mandeep sent through on goal but saved! The rebound doesn’t come back to India, but they get a PC! Harmanpreet Singh called into action. But first, a video referral to confirm the PC.

    IND 0-0 GER (4′)

  • 15:13 (IST)

    IND vs GER Hockey LIVE: We are Live!

    Here we go! India vs Germany at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium. India in blue, attacking from left to right for the first two quarters.

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What does Biden’s visit to Berlin mean for NATO and the EU?

The US president is visiting Germany this week after Hurricane Milton forced him to cancel his trip originally scheduled last week. What could his visit ahead of the US election mean for NATO and the EU?

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US President Joe Biden will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer in Berlin this week as his presidency draws to an end.

His visit, initially scheduled for last week, included a meeting at Germany’s Ramstein air base, where he was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders. After Biden’s visit was cancelled, Zelenskyy made stops in London, Rome, Berlin, and Paris to present his “victory plan” to European leaders.

With Biden preparing to hand over the reins to either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, European governments have been making plans for both scenarios. Either way, Europe will need to reduce its dependence on the US.

Euronews spoke with transatlantic expert and German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) senior fellow Rachel Tausendfreund about US-EU relations amid ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

“I’d be surprised if anything that fundamental was announced after this meeting. I think this meeting is more symbolic,” she explained, adding that bigger decisions such as Ukraine’s future are unlikely to happen before November.

Europe needs to procure more weapons and ammo and coordinate, she says.

“Separately, they’re all buying a decent amount of things or producing a decent amount of material,” Tausendfreund said, suggesting that because NATO member states are working alone, the capacity is “much lower than it should be”.

France supports producing fighter jets and munitions as a European initiative, but there are other countries, such as Germany, who say that weapons should be bought from wherever it is cheapest and most efficient, including from Israel, causing tension between states.

What would it mean for NATO if Trump wins?

“There are two scenarios. The optimistic kind of French scenario is that finally everyone will agree with France that Europe can’t rely on the US forever and therefore need to establish strategic autonomy. And that would also mean less reliance on US systems because you need also political support sometimes to use some of these weapon systems,” Tausendfreund explained.

She says that is an optimistic scenario that is unlikely to happen because countries on the eastern flank of Europe, who feel vulnerable due to their proximity to Russia, lean on their relationship with the US and focus on their own defences, which can lead to continued fragmentation within Europe for NATO member states.

Regarding Ukraine’s future, Tausendfreund suggested that if Trump were to win the election in less than three weeks, support for Ukraine would likely decrease.

She believes Trump will push Ukraine into negotiations almost immediately, using military support as leverage to pressure Kyiv into talks.

“By early January, they’ll be forced to negotiate, regardless of the situation,” she said, underlining that it will probably be important to Trump to get some kind of deal so that he can sell it as a win.

The best-case scenario for NATO under a Trump presidency would be a strong EU response and coordination with the UK, leading to a Europeanisation of NATO that keeps the alliance robust.

NATO states would need to achieve this by increasing capacity and filling in gaps that could be left if the US withdraws support.

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“A positive scenario is you have really a Europeanised NATO where the Europeans are providing 60% of the defence and deterrence capability,” Tausendfreund said.

However, if NATO states and the EU don’t ramp up their defence capabilities, they could become very weak by 2025.

And what about the consequences for NATO if Harris wins?

“I think we’re looking at one maybe two years of solid support, but with an eye to finding an exit strategy,” Tausendfreund says.

A presidency under Kamala Harris could encourage the EU to coordinate to strengthen the European pillar. If Europe continues along this path of not being united in making decisions, the effects will be negative and can lead to weakened European security by 2027 or 2028.

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“The US simply doesn’t have the capacity to stay focused on Europe to the extent that it has,” she said.

On the topic of Ukraine, Tausendfreund said “if Harris wins, you can expect the same level of support rhetorically as we’ve had in the Biden administration.”

“And I actually think another big spending package would be possible, even if the Republicans have control of the Senate, because a significant number of Republicans, maybe not quite a majority, but close, actually support aiding Ukraine, as long as the political pressure is not that high.”

The future of NATO and Zelenskyy’s ‘victory plan’

Either way, the pressure to arm NATO is unlikely to diminish, regardless of who is elected. Without better cooperation between member states, Russia could feel emboldened and “make trouble on the continent,” the expert says.

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“Ukraine will need pretty strong security guarantees from the NATO’s partners, be it in the form of membership or just in the form of bilateral security guarantees. Well, for that to work, these allies have to be credible security givers and they’re the Europeans that have a lot of work to do,” Tausendfreund adds.

“It’s an ambitious plan. It’s clearly just putting on paper what he thinks they would need in order to win. I’m not sure that it’s very realistic he’s going to get it. He’s not going to get it from Biden. I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Tausendfreund says. But under a Harris administration, there could be more support.

Security experts are urging Europe to take a more united approach in producing weapons, and say they need to accelerate making tough decisions for the future of NATO.

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Could Brussels get Germany’s new border controls revoked?

The German government ordered spot passport controls at all its land borders from Monday morning, going against the EU’s free movement principle.

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On Monday morning, German border police were ready to start passport checks at all its land borders.

Queues at the crossings, particularly in the north and west of Germany, were expected ahead of time, and transport companies and border commuters prepared for long waiting times where there were none.

But many are still puzzled: why is Germany reintroducing border checks in 2024, after so many years of free movement — one of the EU’s main pillars?

“The German government wants to show that they are doing something, and with the upcoming elections and the past elections, this is very important political signalling, of course, and it signals that we take back control of our borders,” migration expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations Svenja Niederfranke told Euronews.

A series of deadly knife attacks by migrants in Germany over the past few months has sparked a public backlash and is widely thought to have contributed to big gains by anti-migrant far-right and far-left parties in two recent east German state elections.

With the third state of Brandenburg heading to polls in just under a week, recent surveys show that security is at the top of voters’ agenda. The German federal election is also scheduled for next year.

Last week, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser ordered the same passport checks already in place at the Austrian, Polish, Swiss and Czech borders to be extended to Germany’s borders in the west and the north, at the land crossing with France, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Are these checks likely to be effective?

“Research has shown usually with these border checks, it’s usually not the big fish, it’s the smaller fish that will get caught. And not every single smuggler will get caught either, because obviously they know where the border checks are and they will find different ways to do it,” Niederfranke added.

However, with the previous knife attack at the Solingen Festival of Diversity killing three people and injuring another eight, the Syrian-born suspect was earmarked for return to Bulgaria last year. Still, police did not find him at his shelter when they went to deport him.

Niederfranke warned that these checks have plenty of adverse effects, especially since the EU in the Schengen zone enjoys freedom of movement within its external borders.

Transport businesses, including freight companies, and people who live in one country and commute over the border will likely be the most impacted by long queues at the border.

“People have to go back and forth for work or have to transport goods. Of course that’s severely annoying to to be then stuck in the border control every single day.”

She also says that legal scholars are examining whether it’s possible to turn asylum seekers back at the German border and whether it’s legal under EU law.

The cost and the amount of staff needed to be deployed at the German border will be considerable, Niederfranke also said.

She pointed at the federal police officers who will be relocated, despite staff shortages within the police. A police union demanded 5,000 more postings to be created for the task.

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“The cost is, of course, very costly to put in the infrastructure to deploy these police officers.”

Will there be a political price to pay?

Poland, Greece, and Austria strongly criticised the German government’s decision to introduce these checks, which could destabilise the fabric of the EU.

Niederfranke said that although Austria was very vocal in blasting these increased checks, there have been border controls between the two countries for years. Part of Vienna’s condemnation may be linked to the fact that elections are taking place in Austria in September.

On the other hand, Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orban, welcomed the decision to extend these controls and said that he felt “like (German Chancellor Olaf) Scholz is now agreeing to his policy, which I don’t believe the German government necessarily wants.”

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Meanwhile, Niederfranke added that EU officials couldn’t be too pleased about the controls.

“With regards to the discussions on the new pact, the reform of the European asylum system, Germany was also more of a progressive voice and now it’s turning slightly back on that,” she said.

“So it is not really a clear course by the German government and that frustrates a lot of European partners.”

Could the EU block these controls and take Germany to court?

“The Commission is always not happy when a member state introduces temporary border controls because that is against the idea of the European Union and against the idea of the Schengen Zone,” Niederfranke said.

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The border controls have been introduced as a “last resort” against terrorism, rather than migration, so it is possible the EU could see it as unlawful and take Germany to court.

“There are very specific rules of when a member state can introduce temporary border controls,” she said. “And now it’s easier to argue for introducing border controls. And it’s also possible to have them in place for longer.”

“But you still, as a member state, we need to argue that there’s a serious threat to public order or security. So that’s the basis on which you have to argue to introduce these border checks.”

According to Niederfranke, it is unlikely the Commission would take Germany to court, looking at previous examples of when member states have introduced internal border controls.

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“So even if the Commission believes this is unlawful, it has to be seen whether they will actually take Germany to court. And with a Commission that also turned slightly to the right with the last parliamentary election at EU level, I would say it’s not very likely that they will take this step,.”

If the EU does decide to take Germany to court, we could expect them to announce it over the next couple of months.  

However with the number of asylum applications decreasing 20% compared to last year, it could be hard to argue that Germany needed to introduce checks as a last resort.

How does the asylum process work?

One of most common misconceptions in the media is the process of how the asylum procedure works according to the Dublin rules.

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Niederfranke explained that asylum seekers may travel through multiple EU states before they make a claim for asylum, either in an EU state or elsewhere, such as the UK.

They are then asked a series of questions, such as if the person is an unaccompanied minor, if they have close family members in another member state, or if a spouse has applied for asylum in another member state. If so that member state would also be responsible for the spouse. And if a visa has been granted in the past by another member state, then that member state would also be responsible.

If none of those answers apply, then whichever country the person was first registered in, with finger prints, is the one that is responsible for their claim.

“Sometimes people are not registered in Italy or in Greece and then they reach, for example, Austria,” where they have no family members in other states and have never received a visa from a member state before, Niederfranke added.

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“So the Dublin system is a little bit more complicated, but it’s still true that it’s really the countries who are on the external borders, that are responsible for most of the asylum claims in the European Union,” she said.

This year the asylum system in the EU was reformed, which now means that member states who take fewer asylum seekers, “need to contribute in a different way. And how they contribute, they can decide, they can either take in, resettle, relocate people from Italy” for example.  

The reform is the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is an all-encompassing overhaul that seeks to ensure all countries, regardless of location, shoulder their fair share.

Its main point is to give governments three options to manage asylum seekers: relocate a certain number, pay €20,000 for each one they reject, or finance operational support.

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Hybrid attacks: Is Russia already at war with the West?

This article was originally published in German

Experts warn that politicians need to take Russia’s so-called “hybrid war” more seriously and populations should be better prepared.

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Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 the war has been reported on daily. At the same time Russia is waging a second war that is making fewer headlines.

Russia’s so-called “second war” is directed against the West. “It is a war against (a Western) democratic model,” says Eastern Europe expert Franziska Davies.

Difficult to define, features of what experts have called Russia’s “hybrid war” include everything that does not involve direct military confrontation. According to Davies, actions carried out by Russia have one unifying goal: to weaken and destabilise the West.

One example of Russia’s hybrid warfare is the uncovered plot to assassinate the CEO of Rheinmetall, a German automotive and arms manufacturer based in Dusseldorf earlier this month. The plot, first reported by US broadcaster CNN, was one of a broader plan to attack executives at European defence companies that manufacture weapons delivered to Ukraine.

“What Russia is ultimately striving for is a Europe where Russia can enforce its goals regardless of international rules and laws. A Europe in which Russia can exercise power by force,” explains Franziska Davies from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.

The threat of online fake news

Experts say Russia’s hybrid war is made up of several strategies: hacking, attacks on individuals or disinformation and fake news. “We are all targets of these campaigns to influence information,” says Tapio Pyysalo, Head of International Relations at the European Centre for Countering Hybrid Threats.

Before the European elections in June, there was a coordinated attempt to share targeted pro-Russian, anti-vaccine and anti-LGBTQ campaigns on social media.

The Dutch private research instituteTrollrensics found that a large disinformation campaign in Germany promoted and shared content in favour of the far-right German political party Alternative for Germany (AfD).The company suspects that the bots behind this content come from Russian or pro-Russian circles.

Although many European countries have improved their security measures against hybrid attacks since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Estonian expert Pyysalo warns that as countries would be better prepared to face threats if they shared data with one another. Such data sharing, however, often runs counter to individual countries national security laws.

“What democratic states still need to do is generally strengthen their legislation to close gaps that are used by hybrid actors,” Pyysalo said.

How to recognise disinformation?

What needs to happen on a daily basis and what everyone can do is recognise fake news and not spread it, says Pyysalo. “Everyone should play a role in verifying information and making sure that everything they spread is based on facts and not disinformation narratives.”

It helps that disinformation campaigns spread by Russia often follow similar patterns, explains Dr Frank Sauer, security policy expert at the Bundeswehr University Munich.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s about the MH17 downing or the bombing of the children’s hospital in Kiev: it’s always first said that it was insane, then it was the others and in the end it’s: ‘Okay, it was us, but they deserved it'” Sauer said.

Experts say that to expose disinformation campaigns, it is worth checking whether other media outlets independently verify the information shared. It is also important to check the source of the news, such as which social media profile it originated from.

A Ukrainian Ministry of Defence manual on debunking fake news points out that the usernames of X profiles are often random combinations of numbers, and fake profiles often use old or randomly selected images directly from Google results.

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According to Sauer, the aim of Russia’s disinformation is: “To leave people feeling powerless and convinced that they can never know the truth anyway.”

However, hybrid attacks can extend beyond the online sphere. Estonian hybrid threat expert Tapio Pyysalo, says that critical infrastructure in the rest of Europe could also be targeted by Russia, much like Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

He does not want to cause concern, but “people should be prepared for all kinds of disruptions, for example in the supply of critical services or critical food.”

Pyysalo summarises: “Be prepared for the worst, but of course hope for the best.”

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Germany’s “nightmare scenario”

In Germany, Europe’s biggest economy and a target for multiple attacks suspected to be from Russia, the worst – the “absolute nightmare scenario” – is what Frank Sauer calls a total power blackout.

“The general population is not well prepared for such situations. We simply assume that the weather will always be pleasant, the water will come out of the tap and there will be food in the supermarket,” explains Sauer.

The German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance has taken steps to draw up supply lists, advising people to stock up on enough food for ten days and two litres of liquid per person per day. As part of its advice, an emergency first-aid kit should be available and important documents should be stored to be taken with you quickly in an emergency.

Need to build up civil resistance

In such possible exceptional situations, Sauer maintains that building up civilian resistance is more important than strengthening the military.

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The German security expert explains: “We basically need reserves of people who can help in an emergency. We need people who can stack sandbags and get the emergency generators out of the hall and start them up.”

In Germany, the aim should be to ensure that “in an emergency, we can organise things so that everyone has a warm blanket, children have a corner to play in, we have emergency power generators where mobile phones can be charged and someone can cook soup.”

Sauer emphasises that this is not only important in the event of external attacks on the infrastructure; power outages can also be triggered by the climate crisis.

His hope is “that there is a broad social consensus that we as a society should invest money, but also time.” He is talking, for example, about citizens spending twelve months at the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, the fire brigade, the Red Cross or even the German Armed Forces. “So that I know what to do if something breaks down in my community or neighbourhood.”

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India vs Germany Men’s Hockey Semi-final Highlights, Paris Olympics 2024: India Go Down Fighting vs Germany, To Face Spain For Olympics Hockey Bronze | Olympics News

India vs Germany Highlights, Men’s Hockey, Paris Olympics 2024© AFP




India vs Germany Men’s Hockey Semi-Final Olympics 2024 Highlights:  Heartbreak for India as Harmanpreet Singh and Co lose 2-3 against Germany in the men’s hockey semi-final match at the Paris Olympics 2024. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Sukhjeet Singh (36th) scored for India, while Gonzalo Peillat (18th), Christopher Ruhr (27th) and Marco Miltkau (54th) were the scorers for Germany. India will now face Spain in the Olympics bronze medal match. (Medal Tally)

Here are the Highlights of Paris Olympics 2024, Men’s Hockey semi-final match between India and Germany:







  • 00:39 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: That’s all folks

    That’s all for today. Join us tomorrow for more action from Paris Olympics 2024. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will be in action for India but Vinesh Phogat will compete in the 50kg wrestling gold medal match.

  • 00:28 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Heartbreak for India

    Both PR Sreejesh and Harmanpreet Singh pointed out the sectors where India could not beat Germany but they will have to bounce back now with Spain waiting in the bronze medal clash.

  • 00:21 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Bronze medal match

    India will now take on Spain in the bronze medal match, while Germany will be up against Netherlands in the final.

  • 00:15 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Match recap

    Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Sukhjeet Singh (36th) scored for India, while Gonzalo Peillat (18th), Christopher Ruhr (27th) and Marco Miltkau (54th) were the scorers for Germany.

  • 00:11 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: India defeated

    Full time and India have lost the game 2-3. A valiant fight from Harmanpreet Singh and Co but Germany proved to be too powerful. Bronze medal match against Spain will be India’s final chance to add a hockey medal to their tally.

  • 00:08 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Is it all over?

    Shamsher Singh was placed perfectly to deflect the pass into the goal but it is wide! Is it all over for India?

  • 00:06 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: No keeper in this PC

    Germany have a penalty corner and India does not have a keeper!

  • 00:04 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Less than 3 minutes to go

    Less than 3 minutes to go and it is now or never for India. They will need to launch attacks on the German goal right now and Sreejesh is coming off. All outfield players for India.

  • 00:02 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Germany make it 3-2

    Marco Miltkau scores and a brilliant goal from open play to make it 3-2 for Germany. A perfect attacking play ended in Miltkau putting the ball inside the net. Huge setback for India!

  • 23:56 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Sreejesh on fire

    Lukas Windfeder with the latest penalty corner and PR Sreejesh once again with the save. Great Britain players can attest on the fact how much Sreejesh can change a game with the saves and German players are also learning the same right now.

  • 23:54 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: 10 minutes to go

    10 minutes to go in the match and once again, it is Sreejesh who denied Germany from taking the lead. Niklas Wellen with a powerful shot but directly into Sreejesh’s pads. 

  • 23:50 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Sreejesh you beauty!

    PR Sreejesh with an absolutely brilliant save and another goal line save from the Indian defender keeps them in the game. Huge moment in the match!

  • 23:46 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Final quarter

    Final quarter begins and India will have to start well. A spot in the gold medal match on the line and game on!

  • 23:44 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Third quarter ends

    That is the end of the third quarter and the final 15 minutes will be massive for both sides. The score is 2-2 and the next goal can end up deciding who moves on to fight for gold and who will have to settle for the bronze medal match.

  • 23:39 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Big major flaw

    The other major flow in India’s gameplan in the Paris Olympics 2024 has been their resources when it comes to drag flickers. Harmanpreet is the only option for them right now and that makes it easy for opponents to block his path during penalty corners. That is something India will have to work on.

  • 23:36 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Advantage India

    India seem to have found a second wind after the goal and Abhishek had a good chance to hand them the lead. However, he was not able to trap the final pass but the attack will surely boost the morale right now.

  • 23:34 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Sukhjeet scores

    India have equalised and it is game on! The press was completely focused on Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet had the perfect opportunity to just guide it into the goal. The comeback is complete! India are back in the game and this is a battle for the spot in the final.

  • 23:31 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Another PC saved

    India’s third penalty corner of the quarter but almost the same result once again. A powerful shot from Harmanpreet cleared by a defender. Peillat once again with the defence.

  • 23:28 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Two more chances wasted

    Back to back penalty corners for India but still no success. Both times, it was saved by the defenders or the goalkeeper. They will have to try creating something from open play.

  • 23:25 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: PC For India

    Penalty corner for India. Can Harmanpreet do it?

  • 23:24 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Action resumes

    It is time for the third quarter. India are high on confidence from the win over Great Britain and they will have to use that in this match against Germany.

  • 23:19 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Is Rohidas’ absence hurting India?

    India have looked vulnerable when it comes to defending penalty corners and one of the reasons for that can be the absence of Amit Rohidas. His suspension has been a bit problem for India till now and they will have to find a proper alternative soon.

  • 23:15 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Half-time

    It is half-time in the men’s hockey semifinal and Indian fans will not be happy. India took the lead in the first quarter but Germany have fought back brilliantly. 

  • 23:13 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Germany take lead

    Christopher Ruehr scores from the penalty stroke and India trail 1-2. India took the lead but Germany have reclaimed the game now. This is not looking good!

  • 23:09 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Penalty stroke for Germany.

    Jarmanpreet Singh on the second post pulled off a good save but time for a video referral. Will it be a penalty stroke? Yes. Bad news for India.

  • 23:08 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: End to end stuff

    This match has really opened up after Germany’s equaliser and both teams are now trying hard to grab the lead ahead of the half time. Germany had a good chance that was saved by the defenders and seconds later, India were on the other side but nothing came off that attack.

  • 23:04 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Massive miss

    Lalit Upadhyay with the best chance of the second quarter for India but he fails to convert the opportunity. Just the goalkeeper between him and the goal but his shot went above the goal as disappointment was clear on the fans’ faces.

  • 23:03 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Injury concern

    A clash between two players and looks like Sumit got a bit injured. However, nothing serious and India starts once again with a free hit.

  • 23:00 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Abhishek miss

    What a miss! Abhishek found himself in the perfect position with the goal in front of him. However, he miscued the shot slightly as he flew wide of the goal. Big chance squandered.

  • 22:59 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Germany equalise

    Gonzalo Peillat scores from the penalty shootout and this is not good at all! Germany received their first penalty corner and Sreejesh had no chance of saving the powerful shot. Peillat vs Harmanpreet in this game till now and the score is 1-1.

  • 22:54 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: 2nd quarter begins

    The second quarter begins and Germany had the first chance. Hinrichs found himself in a good position but he could not trap the ball properly to take a shot at the Indian goal.

  • 22:52 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: End of first quarter

    That is the end of the first quarter. India lead 1-0 and they will be proud of the fact that Germany hardly had any circle entry in the match till now. India will have to defend properly now and hope for a goal from open play.

  • 22:50 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Harmanpreet goal

    The first goal once again came from a penalty corner and who else but skipper Harmanpreet Singh. His shot got deflected off the stick of a German rusher and the goalkeeper had absolutely no chance of saving it. 

  • 22:46 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: India all the way

    It has been Team India all the way till now. More than five penalty corners for them in this quarter till now with one getting converted by Harmanpreet Singh. This is looking really good!

  • 22:44 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Vinesh Phogat has done it!

    Vinesh Phogat has won her 50kg semifinal clash and India are assured of at least silver in the wrestling event. Huge moment for India. Now the onus is on the hockey team to provide more good news.

  • 22:42 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: India take lead

    Harmanpreet Singh scores! India have taken the lead and this is massive against a big opponent against Germany. This will be immense for their morale.

  • 22:39 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Third PC

    India have kept Germany under pressure till now in the first quarter and third penalty corner. Can Harmanpreet do it?

  • 22:37 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Chance for Germany

    The first chance of the game for Germany fell to Marco Miltkau but the shot was saved rather easily by Sreejesh. He has been phenomenal in the tournament and the Indian goalkeeper will have a big part to play tonight.

  • 22:34 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Two misses back to back

    A huge miss for India! The first penalty corner was saved by the German goalkeeper but India received another one almost instantly. However, Harmanpreet’s shot was wayward as India squander two big chances.

  • 22:32 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: PC for India

    Brilliant play by Hardik and India have a penalty corner very early in the match.

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India vs Germany Men’s Hockey Semi-final Highlights, Paris Olympics 2024: India Go Down Fighting vs Germany, To Face Spain For Olympics Hockey Bronze | Olympics News

India vs Germany Highlights, Men’s Hockey, Paris Olympics 2024© AFP




India vs Germany Men’s Hockey Semi-Final Olympics 2024 Highlights:  Heartbreak for India as Harmanpreet Singh and Co lose 2-3 against Germany in the men’s hockey semi-final match at the Paris Olympics 2024. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Sukhjeet Singh (36th) scored for India, while Gonzalo Peillat (18th), Christopher Ruhr (27th) and Marco Miltkau (54th) were the scorers for Germany. India will now face Spain in the Olympics bronze medal match. (Medal Tally)

Here are the Highlights of Paris Olympics 2024, Men’s Hockey semi-final match between India and Germany:







  • 00:39 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: That’s all folks

    That’s all for today. Join us tomorrow for more action from Paris Olympics 2024. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will be in action for India but Vinesh Phogat will compete in the 50kg wrestling gold medal match.

  • 00:28 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Heartbreak for India

    Both PR Sreejesh and Harmanpreet Singh pointed out the sectors where India could not beat Germany but they will have to bounce back now with Spain waiting in the bronze medal clash.

  • 00:21 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Bronze medal match

    India will now take on Spain in the bronze medal match, while Germany will be up against Netherlands in the final.

  • 00:15 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Match recap

    Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Sukhjeet Singh (36th) scored for India, while Gonzalo Peillat (18th), Christopher Ruhr (27th) and Marco Miltkau (54th) were the scorers for Germany.

  • 00:11 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: India defeated

    Full time and India have lost the game 2-3. A valiant fight from Harmanpreet Singh and Co but Germany proved to be too powerful. Bronze medal match against Spain will be India’s final chance to add a hockey medal to their tally.

  • 00:08 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Is it all over?

    Shamsher Singh was placed perfectly to deflect the pass into the goal but it is wide! Is it all over for India?

  • 00:06 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: No keeper in this PC

    Germany have a penalty corner and India does not have a keeper!

  • 00:04 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Less than 3 minutes to go

    Less than 3 minutes to go and it is now or never for India. They will need to launch attacks on the German goal right now and Sreejesh is coming off. All outfield players for India.

  • 00:02 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Germany make it 3-2

    Marco Miltkau scores and a brilliant goal from open play to make it 3-2 for Germany. A perfect attacking play ended in Miltkau putting the ball inside the net. Huge setback for India!

  • 23:56 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Sreejesh on fire

    Lukas Windfeder with the latest penalty corner and PR Sreejesh once again with the save. Great Britain players can attest on the fact how much Sreejesh can change a game with the saves and German players are also learning the same right now.

  • 23:54 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: 10 minutes to go

    10 minutes to go in the match and once again, it is Sreejesh who denied Germany from taking the lead. Niklas Wellen with a powerful shot but directly into Sreejesh’s pads. 

  • 23:50 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Sreejesh you beauty!

    PR Sreejesh with an absolutely brilliant save and another goal line save from the Indian defender keeps them in the game. Huge moment in the match!

  • 23:46 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Final quarter

    Final quarter begins and India will have to start well. A spot in the gold medal match on the line and game on!

  • 23:44 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Third quarter ends

    That is the end of the third quarter and the final 15 minutes will be massive for both sides. The score is 2-2 and the next goal can end up deciding who moves on to fight for gold and who will have to settle for the bronze medal match.

  • 23:39 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Big major flaw

    The other major flow in India’s gameplan in the Paris Olympics 2024 has been their resources when it comes to drag flickers. Harmanpreet is the only option for them right now and that makes it easy for opponents to block his path during penalty corners. That is something India will have to work on.

  • 23:36 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Advantage India

    India seem to have found a second wind after the goal and Abhishek had a good chance to hand them the lead. However, he was not able to trap the final pass but the attack will surely boost the morale right now.

  • 23:34 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Sukhjeet scores

    India have equalised and it is game on! The press was completely focused on Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet had the perfect opportunity to just guide it into the goal. The comeback is complete! India are back in the game and this is a battle for the spot in the final.

  • 23:31 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Another PC saved

    India’s third penalty corner of the quarter but almost the same result once again. A powerful shot from Harmanpreet cleared by a defender. Peillat once again with the defence.

  • 23:28 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Two more chances wasted

    Back to back penalty corners for India but still no success. Both times, it was saved by the defenders or the goalkeeper. They will have to try creating something from open play.

  • 23:25 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: PC For India

    Penalty corner for India. Can Harmanpreet do it?

  • 23:24 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Action resumes

    It is time for the third quarter. India are high on confidence from the win over Great Britain and they will have to use that in this match against Germany.

  • 23:19 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Is Rohidas’ absence hurting India?

    India have looked vulnerable when it comes to defending penalty corners and one of the reasons for that can be the absence of Amit Rohidas. His suspension has been a bit problem for India till now and they will have to find a proper alternative soon.

  • 23:15 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Half-time

    It is half-time in the men’s hockey semifinal and Indian fans will not be happy. India took the lead in the first quarter but Germany have fought back brilliantly. 

  • 23:13 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Germany take lead

    Christopher Ruehr scores from the penalty stroke and India trail 1-2. India took the lead but Germany have reclaimed the game now. This is not looking good!

  • 23:09 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Penalty stroke for Germany.

    Jarmanpreet Singh on the second post pulled off a good save but time for a video referral. Will it be a penalty stroke? Yes. Bad news for India.

  • 23:08 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: End to end stuff

    This match has really opened up after Germany’s equaliser and both teams are now trying hard to grab the lead ahead of the half time. Germany had a good chance that was saved by the defenders and seconds later, India were on the other side but nothing came off that attack.

  • 23:04 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Massive miss

    Lalit Upadhyay with the best chance of the second quarter for India but he fails to convert the opportunity. Just the goalkeeper between him and the goal but his shot went above the goal as disappointment was clear on the fans’ faces.

  • 23:03 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Injury concern

    A clash between two players and looks like Sumit got a bit injured. However, nothing serious and India starts once again with a free hit.

  • 23:00 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Abhishek miss

    What a miss! Abhishek found himself in the perfect position with the goal in front of him. However, he miscued the shot slightly as he flew wide of the goal. Big chance squandered.

  • 22:59 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Germany equalise

    Gonzalo Peillat scores from the penalty shootout and this is not good at all! Germany received their first penalty corner and Sreejesh had no chance of saving the powerful shot. Peillat vs Harmanpreet in this game till now and the score is 1-1.

  • 22:54 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: 2nd quarter begins

    The second quarter begins and Germany had the first chance. Hinrichs found himself in a good position but he could not trap the ball properly to take a shot at the Indian goal.

  • 22:52 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: End of first quarter

    That is the end of the first quarter. India lead 1-0 and they will be proud of the fact that Germany hardly had any circle entry in the match till now. India will have to defend properly now and hope for a goal from open play.

  • 22:50 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Harmanpreet goal

    The first goal once again came from a penalty corner and who else but skipper Harmanpreet Singh. His shot got deflected off the stick of a German rusher and the goalkeeper had absolutely no chance of saving it. 

  • 22:46 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: India all the way

    It has been Team India all the way till now. More than five penalty corners for them in this quarter till now with one getting converted by Harmanpreet Singh. This is looking really good!

  • 22:44 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Vinesh Phogat has done it!

    Vinesh Phogat has won her 50kg semifinal clash and India are assured of at least silver in the wrestling event. Huge moment for India. Now the onus is on the hockey team to provide more good news.

  • 22:42 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: India take lead

    Harmanpreet Singh scores! India have taken the lead and this is massive against a big opponent against Germany. This will be immense for their morale.

  • 22:39 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Third PC

    India have kept Germany under pressure till now in the first quarter and third penalty corner. Can Harmanpreet do it?

  • 22:37 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Chance for Germany

    The first chance of the game for Germany fell to Marco Miltkau but the shot was saved rather easily by Sreejesh. He has been phenomenal in the tournament and the Indian goalkeeper will have a big part to play tonight.

  • 22:34 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: Two misses back to back

    A huge miss for India! The first penalty corner was saved by the German goalkeeper but India received another one almost instantly. However, Harmanpreet’s shot was wayward as India squander two big chances.

  • 22:32 (IST)

    India vs Germany Hockey LIVE: PC for India

    Brilliant play by Hardik and India have a penalty corner very early in the match.

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The MEPs who actually matter

This article is part of the Brussels Survival Guide.

There’s plenty to pay attention to in the new cohort entering the European Parliament — including, of course, the people. See below our guide on key figures across the policy palette.

Céline Imart

AGRICULTURAL DISRUPTOR
European People’s Party, France

A cereal farmer from Occitania in France, she is a trade unionist and Sciences Po Paris graduate. Imart, who will most likely join the agriculture committee (AGRI) in the European Parliament, participated in blocking the A68 highway during farmers’ protests in France earlier this year, according to local media, and has close links with French farming unions. She recently supported an alliance with the far-right National Rally in France as she stood by her conservative party’s leader Eric Ciotti — who consequently got ousted for it. 

She believes the European Union’s plan to make agri-food more sustainable — the Farm to Fork strategy — is a “delusion” of French liberal lawmaker and former environment committee (ENVI) chair Pascal Canfin. Imart also told French media Libération that farmers are “exasperated by requirements” and angry at “the madness of degrowth.”

Paula Andrés

Johan Van Overtveldt

BANKING INFLUENCER
European Conservatives and Reformists, Belgium

Strictly speaking, the European Central Bank enjoys treaty-bound independence from politics. But if there’s anyone with a decent shot at influencing the future course of Frankfurt’s policy, look no further than Van Overtveldt, a former Belgian finance minister and journalist whose withering critiques of the ECB’s foray into “green central banking” may soon have added weight due to the rise of his generally climate change-skeptic political grouping, the European Conservatives and Reformists.

An outspoken and prolific member of the influential ECON Committee, Van Overtveldt has long complained about the ECB’s controversial green turn under Christine Lagarde. For all its independence, the institution is obliged to support EU economic policy, and it won’t be able to ignore any rightward shift away from net-zero targets led by politicians like Van Overveldt.

If he remains chair of the budget committee, the hawkish Van Overtveldt will also have a say in the enforcement of the EU’s fiscal rules — which carry considerable implications for monetary policy.

Ben Munster

Andreas Schwab

COMPETITION POWERBROKER
European People’s Party, Germany

He’s a veteran of the European Parliament and an influential powerbroker on all things antitrust and tech. Schwab played a starring role in shaping the bloc’s flagship Digital Markets Act. Now governments in the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea are getting their own versions of the rule book to help tame Big Tech’s dominance. He’s also the rare member of European Parliament to make international headlines with his 2014 call for the European Commission to consider breaking up Google. 

Edith Hancock and Giovanna Faggionato

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

HEAVY HITTER ON DEFENSE
Renew Europe, Germany

Among those entering the hemicycle for the first time, German liberal firebrand Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann has some name recognition baked in.

That’s because the former chair of the Bundestag’s defense committee has been plastered across massive billboards around Germany and beyond in the run-up to the EU election since she was placed top of the list for the Renew faction.

Despite a less-than-stellar performance in the campaign, Strack-Zimmermann is still poised to be one of the big beasts entering this legislature — with some appropriate experience, given the war in Ukraine.

The native of Düsseldorf is big on defense, having pored over every detail of Germany’s military policy and procurement over the last few years. She also hasn’t been afraid to break ranks with the government (of which her Free Democratic Party is a part) over its failure to dispatch Taurus long-distance cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Expect Strack-Zimmermann to play a major part in the debate over whether to forge a full-fledged defense committee within Parliament this time around.

Joshua Posaner

Pascal Canfin

GREEN STANCHION
Renew Europe, France

As chair of the European Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) for the last five years, Canfin played a vital role erecting numerous pillars of the EU’s Green Deal. Canfin has told POLITICO he wants to remain in that role. But he’s facing stronger political headwinds this time around — the mood has soured both EU-wide and within France on green policies.

Canfin, a former Green lawmaker before joining French President Emmanuel Macron’s party in 2019, insists the EU election didn’t produce “a majority to dismantle the Green Deal.” Fair enough — but Europe’s right is certainly lining up at least a few green targets it wants to pick off. And don’t expect much new environmental legislation.

Nicolas Camut, Cory Bennett

Stéphanie Yon-Courtin

FINANCIAL DEALMAKER
Renew Europe, France

Yon-Courtin made a name for herself as one of the economic and monetary affairs committee’s (ECON) most controversial MEPs last mandate for her unorthodox negotiating style and industry-friendly stance on EU retail investment rules

Hailing from French President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, which was wiped out by the far right during the election, she was reelected by a hair’s breadth, as 13th on the party’s list for 13 seats won. 

Yon-Courtin, who also followed Big Tech files last time around and had a side job working for the French bank Crédit Agricole until her election in 2019, will likely retain leadership of the retail investment file, which is now heading for final negotiations with EU governments and the Commission. 

She is also positioning herself to take part in the EU’s economic security push, praising new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and saying “pragmatic Europe at the heart of the territories is the commitment of my mandate!”

Kathryn Carlson

Vytenis Andriukaitis

HEALTH ADVOCATE
Socialists and Democrats, Lithuania

Born in Siberia to parents living in exile, Vytenis Andriukaitis returned to Lithuania and became a trauma and heart surgeon. Despite his surgical duties, his career path led him to politics, where he adopted a leftist approach. He kept his health background alive, eventually becoming Lithuania’s health minister in 2012. 

Two years later, Andriukaitis left national politics to join the Commission as commissioner for health and food safety, where he ushered through medical devices regulations, which have so far caused all manner of headache for industry and patients. Will he seek to fix it as an MEP?

Since 2020, he has been a special envoy of the World Health Organization for universal health coverage in the European region. He advocates for expanding the EU’s role in health and is a critic of the “weak” Lisbon Treaty when it comes to health policy. 

Giedre Peseckyte

Adina Vălean

TRANSPORT SPECIALIST
European People’s Party, Romania

Current Transport Commissioner Adina-Ioana Vălean is expected to leave her seat in the College to take up her MEP job — which won’t be new to her, as she has been sitting in the Parliament for more than 10 years (holding relevant posts such as vice president, and chair of the ENVI and ITRE committees). 

While Romania could pick her again as a commissioner, the chances of a second mandate at the Berlaymont for Vălean seem slim. However, her experience in the transport sector is likely to play in her favor when political groups assign the top jobs and dossiers in the new legislature. And the TRAN Committee chair remains vacant after Karima Delli didn’t stand for reelection. 

In the last five years, Vălean had to negotiate delicate dossiers concerning the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors. She also had to deal with border closures within the single market due to Covid and the war in Ukraine, including the establishment of solidarity lanes with the country invaded by Russia. Why not put all this wealth of experience to the service of the Parliament?

— Tommaso Lecca

Peter Liese

SOLDIER OF INDUSTRY
European People’s Party, Germany

Several Green Deal policies have targets on their backs right now — and Liese is the EPP’s chief archer. Immediately after his group claimed victory in the European election, the high-ranking politician declared that a 2035 ban on the sale of combustion engine cars “needs to go,” arguing the election results vindicate his party’s push for a less restrictive Green Deal.

He has also led the charge against the new EU law to restore nature — successfully weakened in Parliament and squeaking by in the Council — as well as a long-awaited and now long-delayed revision of EU chemicals legislation.

A proposed phaseout of ubiquitous, toxic “forever chemicals” is also in his crosshairs: He’s been lobbying hard for assurances of industry carve-outs from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

Brussels should “reduce all the legislation that stands in the way of the decarbonization,” he told POLITICO in an interview. Cue applause from business groups and moans from environmental nongovernmental organizations.

Leonie Cater

Aura Salla and Dóra Dávid

META MAGNETS
European People’s Party, Finland
European People’s Party, Hungary

Meta magnates

They are a package deal: Both are new to the European Parliament, and both have or had links to United States tech giant Meta.

Salla used to run around Brussels, presenting EU officials and lawmakers with Meta’s talking points, as the top lobbyist for Meta in town between 2020 and 2023. Last year, she moved on to become a lawmaker in Finland, her home country.

Dávid is the company’s product counsel but has now been elected in Hungary, for the party of Viktor Orbán rival Péter Magyar. Does this mean Meta has an easy way in? Not necessarily — but Salla has already said she wants to roll back “overregulation” in tech to help Finnish small and medium-sized enterprises. 

Pieter Haeck

Bernd Lange

TRADE DEAL MAVEN
Socialists and Democrats, Germany

Trade deal maven

A key figure for trade policy, returning EU lawmaker Bernd Lange has chaired the Parliament’s international trade committee (INTA) since 2014 — and it’s no secret he is eying yet another turn at the helm of the committee. 

The veteran lawmaker and fan of collectible cars was reelected despite heavy losses suffered by his Social Democratic Party in Germany, as he ranked fourth on his party’s national list. A strong proponent of new trade deals with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries, Australia and Indonesia — as well as more sustainability provisions in trade deals — the MEP is a member of the Parliament’s delegation for relations with the ASEAN bloc of Asian nations and an expert on transatlantic relations.

Antonia Zimmermann

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to clarify that Stéphanie Yon-Courtin stopped working for Crédit Agricole in 2019.



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Over-reliance on gas delays G7 transition to net-zero power

Three years ago, G7, a group of major industrialized countries that includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, committed to decarbonizing their power systems by 2035. It was a historic and hopeful moment, in which the group demonstrated global leadership, and made a first step toward what needs to become an OECD-wide commitment, according to the recommendation made by the International Energy Agency in its 2050 Net Zero Emission Scenario, setting the world on a pathway to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.

As we approach the 2024 G7 summit, the ability of G7 countries to deliver on their power systems decarbonization commitment, not least to address the still-lingering fossil fuel price and cost-of-living crisis, but also to retain their global energy transition leadership, is put under scrutiny. So far, the G7 countries’ actual progress toward this critical goal is a mixed picture of good, bad, and ugly, as new analysis shows.

via G7 Power Systems Scorecard, May 2024, E3G

Most G7 countries are making steps on policy and regulatory adjustments that will facilitate a managed transition.

Grid modernization and deployment is, for example, finally starting to receive the attention it deserves. Some countries, such as the U.S., are also starting to address the issue of long-duration energy storage, which is crucial for a renewables-based power sector.

Coal is firmly on its way out in all G7 countries, except Japan, which is lagging behind its peers. This is where the challenges begin, as things like Japan’s unhealthy relationship with coal risk undermining credibility of the whole group as world leaders on energy transition.

Despite these efforts, all G7 countries are delaying critical decisions to implement transition pathways delivering a resilient, affordable and secure fossil-free power system where renewables – mostly wind and solar – play the dominant role. A tracker by campaign groups shows that other European countries have already engaged firmly in that direction.

Progress made so far is neither uniform, nor sufficient.

Further gaps vary by country, but overall, more action is needed on energy efficiency, non-thermal flexibility solutions, and restructuring power markets to facilitate higher renewable electricity and storage uptake. The EU’s recently adopted power market reform provides a solid framework for changes in this direction, at least for the EU-based G7 countries, but it remains to be seen how the EU’s new rules are going to be implemented on the national level.

Overall: Progress made so far is neither uniform, nor sufficient. For one, translation of the G7-wide target into a legislated national commitment is lacking in most G7 countries, in Europe and beyond. Moreover, the chance of G7 countries reaching their 2035 target is at risk, along with their global image as leaders on the energy transition, due to the lack of a clear, time-bound and economically-sound national power sector decarbonization roadmaps. Whether 100 percent or overwhelmingly renewables-based by 2035, today’s power systems will need to undergo an unprecedented structural change to get there.

For this change to take off, clear vision on how to decarbonize the ‘last mile’ while providing for a secure, affordable and reliable clean electricity supply, is crucial. Regrettably, today’s G7 long-term vision is betting on one thing: Gas-fired back-up generation. While there are nascent attempts to address the development of long-term storage, grids, flexibility and other balancing solutions, the key focus in most G7 countries is on planning for a massive increase in gas capacity.

Whether 100 percent or overwhelmingly renewables-based by 2035, today’s power systems will need to undergo an unprecedented structural change to get there.

All G7 countries but France have new gas power plants in planning or construction, with the growth shares the biggest in three European countries: Italy’s planning to boost its gas power fleet by 12 percent, the U.K. by 23.5 percent, and Germany by a whopping 28 percent. The US, which consumes one quarter of global gas-in-power demand, has the largest project pipeline in absolute terms – 37.8GW, the fourth largest pipeline in the world.

This gas infrastructure build-out contradicts the real-economy trend: In all European G7 countries gas demand has been dropping at least since the 2021-2022 energy crisis, driven particularly by the power sector decarbonization. Japan’s gas demand peaked in 2007, and Canada’s in 1996 (see IEA gas consumption data). Even G7 governments’ own future energy demand projections show further drop in gas demand by 2030, by one-fifth to one-third of today’s levels in all European G7 countries and Japan, and at least by 6-10 percent in Canada and the U.S.

Maria Pastukhova | Programme Lead – Global Energy Transition, E3G

Most G7 countries argue that this new gas power fleet will be used at a much lower capacity factor as a back-up generation source to balance variable renewables. Some, for example Germany, incentivize new gas power capacity build-out under the label of ‘hydrogen readiness’, assuming that these facilities will run on low-carbon hydrogen starting in 2035. Others, for example Japan or the U.S., are betting on abating gas power generation with carbon capture and storage technologies in the long-term.

Keeping gas power infrastructure in an increasingly renewables-based, decentralized power system using technology that may or may not work in time is a very risky gamble to take given the time left.

G7 countries have got no more than a decade left to act on their commitment to reach net-zero emissions power systems. We have readily-available solutions to deliver the major bulk of the progress needed: Grids, renewables, battery, and other short and mid-duration storage, as well as efficiency improvements. These technologies need to be drastically scaled now, along with additional solutions we will need by 2035, such as long-duration energy storage, digitalization, and educating skilled workers to build and operate those new power systems.

While available and sustainable, these solutions must be deployed now to deliver in time for 2035. Going forward, G7 can’t afford to lose any more time focusing on gas-in-power, which is on the way out anyway and won’t bring the needed structural transformation of the power system.



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Fear, a decisive force in these European elections

As the European Parliament elections approach, a growing sense of fear stemming from multiple — yet mutually reinforcing — sources seems to be the decisive force shaping electoral behaviour. Citizens of the EU experience uncertainty in the face of broad economic and cultural changes occurring at an unprecedented pace, coupled by unforeseen crises, such as Covid and the climate crisis, and the re-emergence of war conflicts, on a continent accustomed to peace for over half a century.

The survey

Last month, more than 10,800 European voters took a stand on the pressing issues and running challenges of the EU, as part of a large-scale comparative survey conducted by Kapa Research across 10 member countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Spain) between May 4 and 24, 2024.

This survey goes beyond domestic dilemmas or voting intentions. Taking a closer look at emerging and established trends within European societies between 2019 and 2024, it examines what shapes the bloc’s social agenda today, citizen concerns about European and international issues, leadership expectations, and opinions about leading global figures. On question after question, responses reveal a strong undercurrent of fear impacting voting behaviour just days before June’s European elections, emanating from four critical realities.

Rising cost of living is the foremost concern for Europeans heading to the polls.

Fear cause No.1: Economic uncertainty

Rising cost of living is the foremost concern for Europeans heading to the polls. Inflation shocks that have stunned European economies during the post-pandemic period established a deep-rooted unease about people’s ability to make ends meet. Asked about issues that worry them most when thinking of today’s Europe, respondents, at an average of 47 percent , place “rising cost of living” as their top concern. The issue has become remarkably salient in countries like France (58 percent), Greece (55 percent), Romania (54 percent), Spain (49 percent), and Bulgaria (44 percent), yet, still, in the rest of the surveyed member countries the cost of living ends up among the top three causes of concern. This wide sense of economic uncertainty is further spurred by a lingering feeling of unfairness when it comes to the distribution of wealth: M ore than eight out of 10 (81 percent overall) sense that “in Europe, the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer”.

via Kapa Research

Anxiety transforms into fear when one realizes that the main political conflict has little to do with competing economic solutions to high living costs. Instead, it is more of a clash between systemic forces and extremists, primarily centred on the field of immigration and the perceived threat to the European way of life.

Fear cause No.2: Immigration

On the cultural front, since 2015, immigration in Europe has been a complex and multifaceted issue, with humanitarian and political implications. In our survey, immigration appears to be the second most important citizen concern with 37 percent (on average), while, at the same time, on the question of which areas should Europe focus on the next five years, calls for “stricter immigration control” are prevalent, with 36 percent of respondents across all surveyed countries ranking it as a top priority. This is notably evident in Germany (56 percent), in spite of its reputation as a welcoming country early in the migration crisis, and in Italy (40 percent), a hub-country into Europe for migrants and refugees. More importantly, the perception of immigration as a “threat to public order” is widespread, with 68 percent of respondents holding this view, compared to only 23 percent who see it as an “opportunity for a new workforce”.

via Kapa Research

Fear cause No.3: War on our doorstep

The return of war to Europe has reignited fears about security; conflicts in Ukraine and, more recently, in Gaza come into play as new factors impacting this year’s EU elections. In this survey, “the Russia-Ukraine war” is the third most pressing concern for 35 percent of respondents, only two percentage points below “immigration ”. Here geographical proximity is crucial as the issue is especially prominent in Estonia (52 percent), Hungary (50 percent), Poland (50 percent), and Romania (43 percent), all neighbouring countries to either Russia or Ukraine. Additionally, demand for immediate ceasefire on both fronts is prevalent: 65 percent believe that hostilities in Gaza “must stop immediately ”, while the same view is supported by 60 percent for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

To this end, as the feeling of danger from wars and terrorism grows stronger, EU-UK relations become indirectly connected to the issue of security: 56% of respondents wish for a (re)alignment between Great Britain and the EU. At the same time, and compared to current leaders, former UK PM Tony Blair enjoys strong popularity ratings.

Fear cause No.4: The unknown reality of AI

Over time, technological advancement has been widely welcomed as a positive development for humanity, as a means of improving living conditions, and as a growth accelerator. The rapid rise of a rtificial i ntelligence in citizens’ day-to-day lives seems to be disrupting this tradition. Among the member countries surveyed, an average majority of 51 percent considers AI more as a “threat to humanity” rather than as an “opportunity” (31 percent ). Along the same vein, scepticism is reflected in the reluctance to embrace AI as a strategic goal for the EU in the next five years, with 54 percent opposing such a move.

via Kapa Research

Mixing all four of the above ingredients produces an explosive cocktail of fear within European societies.

Key takeaway

Mixing all four of the above ingredients produces an explosive cocktail of fear within European societies. While combined with the prevalent EU technocracy and the weak institutions-to-citizens communication, it is reasonable to expect mounted distrust and electoral consequences. Voters will use their ballot to send painful messages. However, our survey shows that the great majority still favo r strengthening the European acquis — security, freedom, democracy, growth, and social cohesion — and seek a competent leadership that can defend it.

via Kapa Research

See full survey report by Kapa Research here.



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