Far-right eurosceptic parties are gaining ground in countries that cradled the European Union ahead of a much-awaited European parliamentary vote in May 2019, which is shaping up to become a referendum between traditional conservative parties and emerging nationalist groups.
National polls – generally regarded as a fair indicator of likely voting in the EU election – point to a progressive shift towards more overtly eurosceptic positions.
The French far-right party Ressemblement National (RT), formerly known as the National Front, has moved ahead of President Emmmanuel Macron’s Republique en Marche (LREM) for the first time with 21 per cent of voting preference, an Ifop poll found on Sunday.
Similarly, Italy’s far-right League party has overtaken its government ally Five Star Movement (M5S), has risen over 30 per cent in a September poll. Italians are the most unsatisfied with the European Union, with one in two citizens voting in favour of an Italian Brexit, according to a Eurobarometer survey.
At the EU level, these projections translate into far-right European groups verging close to conquering one third of the seats and gaining more weight in European decision-making.
October projections for the next European elections see the far-right Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group – whose main growth drivers are Marine Le Pen’s RN and Matteo Salvini’s League – expanding its presence from 35 seats in 2014 to 51.
A second hard-right faction, Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD), has also been strengthened by the success of the German far-right AfD party in local elections and is likely to obtain up to 50 representatives.
According to Susi Dennison Director of the European Power programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), “what the far-right is doing quite effectively right now is giving this semblance that they are a pan-European movement.”
“You are not getting this same sense of mobilisation from pro-European groups,” she said.
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Read more:
Explainer: What is behind Italy's fall-out with the European Commission?
Coalition partner gives Merkel ultimatum after state election reverse
Far-right party threatens to tarnish Italian democracy
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The two largest European groups are in fact predicted to lose seats. The European People’s Party (EPP) – which includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel among its leaders but also the controversial Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – is projected to retain its dominant position while following the downward spiral witnessed by conservative parties across Europe (from 215 seats in 2014 to 177).
In line with the end of the two-party politics era in national elections, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) is projected to lose over 50 representatives since the 2014 elections, leaving it closer to third place with 134 seats.
Mr Macron issued stark warnings on Tuesday, comparing the right-wing surge to Germany’s Nazis or Italy’s fascists. “As I recall, nobody, not even the wealthiest and the best educated, blocked the rise of Hitler in one country and Mussolini in another,” he told local media.
To counter what he perceives to be a threat to European values, Mr Macron is attempting to rally the liberal camp under the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group in next elections.
If turnout to the European vote will be similar to national elections across Europe, far-right European parties would likely win around a third of the seats, ECFR’s analyst Ms Dennison said.
This threshold is critical as it would allow to take control of the processes and veto powers within the European parliament, opposing for example actions against authoritarian governments in Poland and Hungary.
What could also tip the elections in favour of these parties is external meddling and misinformation, analysts say. Some leading tech companies are already seeing evidence that “the same bad actors looking to interfere in the U.S. elections” are now looking to spread false claims of meddling.
Jakub Janda, Head of Kremlin Watch Program and Director of the Prague-based European Values think-tank, said the European vote could lead to a “legitimisation of Russia inside the European parliament” if far-right groups prevail.
“I think there will be quite a massive Russia disinformation campaign, attacking the mainstream political parties in order to support the far-right,” Mr Janda told The National.
The goal, if not to gain actual decision-making power in the European parliament, would be for Russia to have friendly MEPs who would promote its agenda and boost its image by scheduling visits to the Kremlin or to president Assad’s Syria, the expert said.
A new Eurobarometer survey set to be released later this month found a huge majority of European citizens want social media sites to be more transparent in the run-up to the EU election, with social media companies making clear what content is advertisement and who is behind it.
“Negative disinformation [is currently being conducted] against the mainstream political parties,” Mr Janda said.
Italy’s M5S was found on Moday to have manipulated the translation of a clip featuring former Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem for its own political agenda, while Hungary’s unrelenting media campaign against EU values prompted the ALDE group to park a truck displaying a message of protest in key locations around Brussels on Tuesday.
“What has yet to be seen is whether there will be Russian financial support – usually through proxies – for far-right parties in European elections.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Afro%20salons
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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
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MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
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Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Stage 5 results
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 3:48:53
2 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team -
3 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott -
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:04
5 Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) CCC Team 0:00:07
General Classification:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 20:35:04
2 Tadej Pogacar (SlO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:01
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:33
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:48
5 Rafał Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:02:11
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
