What happened
Europe's establishment is increasingly embracing war, while losing voters to alternative parties. In Britain, the Labour Party has adopted a siege mentality, with some of its top figures suggesting that pro-Russian voices should be locked up. This trend is not limited to Britain, but is seen across the Western world.
In Germany, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has suffered defeats in recent elections, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party winning by a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD has emerged as a voice for peace, opposing the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and condemning the war on Iran.
The German government's rejection of Russian gas supplies after Putin's invasion of Ukraine has had dire consequences for the country's economy, with skyrocketing heating and power bills. The AfD has been unafraid to ask questions about the Nord Stream pipeline attack, which was blamed on Russia but later found to be the work of Ukrainian individuals.
The centrist political forces in Europe are losing ground to alternative parties, as they are seen as out of touch with the needs and concerns of their citizens. The AfD's sovereigntist stance and opposition to war have resonated with voters, who are increasingly skeptical of the establishment's hawkishness and authoritarianism.
