Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521709
14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JUNE 2024 EWROPEJ Political families of Europe A comprehensive guide to political families for the 2024 European Parliament elections EUROPE nears a crucial turning point at the 2024 European Parliament, with a topsy-turvy political landscape that is challenging the traditional consensus of mainstream, centre-left and centre-right parties. While the elections are also taking place in the context of an anticipated swing towards the far-right in many European countries, overshadowed by war in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the possible re-election of Donald Trump as US President in No- vember, long-term trends have shown concerning variability in voter turnout, particularly in certain EU countries like Slovakia (22% in 2019 EU elections). The latest Eurobarometer shows that the Maltese (68%) show greater inter- est than the EU average (60%), and are 72% more likely to vote (EU: 71%). The Maltese also staunchly believe they want the EP to have a major role in their lives (71%), promoting peace as its main priority (43%), and remain ab- solute believers that EU membership has been beneficial 20 years on from accession (91%). Malta can still guarantee itself a strong voter turnout despite its long- drawn fatigue with domestic politics: voters this year will be casting their choice under the shadow of the crim- inal charges filed against former La- bour prime minister Joseph Muscat, a factor which in Maltese politics can galvanise grassroots voters into ensur- ing a strong turnout for Labour. This factor alone could make the difference of just a few hundred votes that will de- termine whether Malta's six MEPs are split equally between Labour and the PN, or whether the PL keeps it major- ity of seats. THE POLITICAL FAMILIES European People's Party (EPP) Partit Nazzjonalista The PN's European family, the cen- tre-right European People's Party (EPP), has dominated EU politics and also held most of the top jobs in the EU institu- tions for the last two decades. A big-tent political family that carries pro-EU conservatives, economic liber- als, as well as Christian-Democrats, its dominance is sourced from the staying power of their home parties in national politics in Germany, France and Italy. It will still be the pivotal force in the European Parliament with about 25% of the seats, but back in France and It- aly their once-dominant parties have been decimated by the rise of the far- right and hard conservatives. The EPP's main gains this time are likely to come in Spain. By winning the EP elections, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is likely to get a second term as EC President. The EPP is prioritising defence and se- curity for the next five years, and wants dedicated Commissioner for defence for the first time. Party of European Socialists (Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats – S&D) Partit Laburista Labour's political family has remained rooted in the principles of social democ- racy and progressivism, and the belief that the government has a responsibil- ity to ensure social welfare and equality. Its manifesto retains the hallmarks of the socialist mainstream: solidarity, inclusivity, and environmental sustain- ability, the reduction of inequality, safeguarding the social safety net and promoting workers' rights. Its belief in a Social Europe is coupled with a vision of a Europe that prioritises the well-being of its citizens and address- es the challenges of the modern world through cooperation and collabora- tion. Thanks to its position as the EP's sec- ond-largest party, the S&D has been able to hold the balance on matters of socio-economic redistribution and cli- mate laws, often bolstering the alliance of Greens and Left on main EU laws concerning social justice, climate ac- tion, and the rights of workers. Its main parties include heavyweights such as Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), France's Socialist Party (PS), Spain's Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), and Italy's Democratic Party (PD), with prominent leaders such as Spain's Pedro Sánchez and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as well as Danish PM Mette Frederiksen and the controversial Portuguese Prime Minis- ter-in-resignation, Antonio Costa, who maintains his role until upcoming elec- tions in March. Luxembourgish Commissioner Nico- las Schmit is their spitzenkandidat, a choice that seemed off-centre giv- en the choice to have former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin as a po- tential centre-left leader. European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) In Malta, the ECR could be the polit- ical home for Christian-conservatives Abba, although there is no formal af- filiation. The ECR previously was home to the British Tories, and to this day houses a spectrum of conservatism that in- cludes Italian far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni's Fratelli d'Italia. Other players include Poland's Law and Justice, until last year holding pow- er, Spain's Vox, and the Sweden Dem- ocrats. Adding more anti-immigration flavour to the ECR's conservative and eurosceptic agenda is the inclusion of Eric Zemmour's far-right. anti-Islam Reconquête! Party of France, as well MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt