*Europe’s center right has two weeks to decide on the strategy that will define its next four years in the European Parliament: Dilute its ambition and stick with traditional mainstream allies — or work with the far right to get the job done. *
While governments in EU capitals grapple with the rise of populists, and centrist parties struggle to hold their ground, pan-European groups in the Parliament are confronting similar challenges. Last week’s failure to pass a landmark law aimed at cutting red tape underlined how little room for maneuver the center still has.
Political groups in the Parliament are extremely divided over how to implement the new Brussels simplification agenda. While groups to the right of the hemicycle call for a major rollback of EU rules — particularly environmental laws, which they see as the culprit for stagnating growth — those on the left are fighting to preserve the rules they helped craft in the previous mandate.
In an eye-opening session, 185 lawmakers voted in favor of a nonbinding resolution that urges the government to repeal a 1968 agreement with Algiers that facilitates Algerian immigration to France. A total of 184 lawmakers, mainly from the left, voted against.
The resolution pushed by the National Rally passed by the narrow margin thanks to the decisive support of some right-wing and centrist lawmakers, but also due to many from President Emmanuel Macron’s party not showing up for the vote, for unclear reasons.
Even if the text has no legal effect, the vote marks a major symbolic victory for Le Pen’s party, which has so far been isolated by centrist and left-wing lawmakers due to the so-called cordon sanitaire , a self-imposed unwritten rule preventing them from working with the far right.
the country remains sharply divided: The parties finishing first and second, centrist liberal D66 and the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), are sworn enemies.
During his campaign, D66 leader Rob Jetten cast himself as a foil to PVV firebrand Geert Wilders. And Wilders has said he “basically disagrees with everything [Jetten] says.”
Winner
Rob Jetten
Meet your potential next Dutch prime minister.
PVV and D66 neck-and-neck in Dutch election
The Netherlands moved back toward center.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/10/30/populist-left-ai-anxiety-00628379
As automation anxiety once fueled right-wing populism, fears of AI displacement may now power a new, left-leaning revolt among white-collar workers.
You know what the number-one thing that keeps me up at night is? It’s AI taking my job.” It wasn’t a factory worker telling me this. It was a straight-A student at one of the U.K.’s leading universities. The others participating in the focus group I was leading — students from the U.S., U.K. and Germany — all concurred. “It’s a ticking time bomb,” said another. “I’m really scared that because of AI I’ve got no chance of being hired.”
A recent Europe-wide survey has revealed an alarming picture: fewer than six in ten young Europeans believe that democracy is the best form of government. One in five say they would support authoritarian rule under certain circumstances. And only 6% believe their political system functions well.
Trust in democracy begins with trust in its institutions: governments, courts and public services. When these institutions are seen as unresponsive, unaccountable or unfair, confidence in democracy falters.
Economic insecurity compounds the sense that wealth and opportunity are unequally distributed. Many young Europeans feel stuck, unable to afford housing, build stable careers or plan their futures. In the Young Europe 2025 survey, more than one-third say that ensuring affordable living costs should be a top political priority. Yet, the institutions meant to provide security and opportunity are often seen as ineffective and out of touch.