Rightward shift in European elections could impact Canada trade, climate policy
Written by The Canadian Press on June 10, 2024
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s taking an optimistic approach in politics after a lurch to the far-right in this past weekend’s Europe-wide elections.
Far-right parties have surged in voting for the European Parliament, taking share from mainstream parties across the continent.
French President Emmanuel Macron made a surprise call for early legislative elections after his party suffered a heavy loss to the far-right National Rally party.
Trudeau says political parties around the world are instrumentalizing anger and leaders need to instead come up with viable solutions to problems.
Carleton University professor Achim Hurrelmann says this past weekend’s vote comes at a time when there are challenges across the continent in addressing concerns around the cost of living and immigration.
He says the results could put strains on Canada’s free-trade deal with Europe and that affordability concerns could weaken climate policies that countries have shaped alongside Canada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2024.
The Canadian Press