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Britain’s shocking decision to leave the European Union has sparked other nations to prominently consider their own version of a Brexit. Anger over E.U. policies, and general frustration with the European experiment, has spread across the continent among several fast-growing, largely nationalistic far-right parties. Virtually all of them feel some frustration that their own national policies are determined, in part, by a government in Brussels.
Indeed, the 28 nations of Europe all have somewhat separate needs and agendas. They certainly have different polities. Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has advocated that the E.U. should reform its policies in order to bolster the economy. (Spain has suffered from catastrophic unemployment during much of the past decade.) Meanwhile, diplomats in France and Germany have argued for more control over Europe’s external borders, Reuters reports. The E.U.’s migration policy is particularly divisive given the influx of refugees during the last year. It is perhaps the main reason behind Britain's decision to leave.
Dissatisfaction over migrant issues, Islamist terrorism, and diminishing incomes runs deep across Europe, and could mean that other countries will vote in far-right leaders that could overthrow established policies. For example, Austria nearly elected its own version of Donald Trump in May, and far-right fringe parties are rising in popularity in Italy, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Leaders of these parties consider Brexit a victory, and are calling for similar referendums in their own countries. France’s Marine Le Pen, who leads the far-right National Front party, celebrated Britain’s decision to leave; the party’s vice president, Florian Philippot, called for a French referendum on leaving the E.U.
It’s no wonder EU leaders are urging Britain to leave swiftly. Brexit’s influence has already caught on like a contagion.
(VANITY FAIR)
