French President Emmanuel Macron and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are sounding the alarm over the looming threat of a far-right surge in the EU parliament.
In a joint effort, they are calling on voters to participate in the upcoming European elections to safeguard democracy.
Arriving in Berlin for a state visit coinciding with Germany’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of its Basic Law, Macron and Steinmeier stressed the urgent need for voter engagement to counter the rise of Eurosceptic far-right parties.
Steinmeier emphasised the historical significance, adding: “History teaches us that where there is a lack of democratic structures, humanity and political reason are also stifled.
“It is not surprising that those who question freedom, human rights, and democracy are the very same people who are questioning the European project.”
Macron directed his appeal towards the youth.
He said: “We will do everything we can to encourage young people to go to the polls, including those voting for the first time.”
Their plea comes amid predictions of significant gains for far-right parties, notably Germany’s AfD and France’s Rassemblement National, in national polls.
Recognising the challenge posed by low voter turnout among far-right supporters, Steinmeier acknowledged: “It could not be expected that after a long-term evolution (…), any government, any party, could flip a switch and the situation would be as we would like it to be.”
Macron stressed the importance of addressing people’s fears of change without resorting to “promoting bad ideas” and “engaging in demagogy” to counter the far-right’s appeal.