This has been a hotly debated topic for years, but I find it interesting to see Metalstorm users' opinions on the subject.

With the current problems in the world (the war in Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Trump, immigration, rising crime, etc.), Europe is reacting in its own way, voting overwhelmingly to the right, even the far right (the rise of Afd in Germany, Giorgia Meloni in Italy, National conservatism in Poland, Hungary and Austria). Some countries, like France, are at a point where the balance is roughly far left versus far right.

This forum is for posting your opinions or feelings on this situation, which many consider very problematic.

In France, immigration, mainly from the Maghreb, is viewed very negatively. This is one of the far-right's key arguments, along with "Muslims are the ones who commit the most crimes in the country." A rather effective stance, given the results of the last legislative elections.

On the other side of the hemicycle, on the contrary, they are using violence against Muslims and the right's rigidity regarding trans rights. This also works, given that the coalition of left-wing and far-left parties, the NFP, is currently the second most popular party in France.

President Macron's party plays on the demonization of both sides and the often frequent controversies to undermine their credibility.

We are reaching a war of ideologies, where people vote without even considering the programs of the different parties, which is completely stupid.

I'm just dropping in to say that I've moved this from the General forum to the Serious Discussions forum.

We have a topic related to Europe discussed deeply on the sides europe is standing on the world stage.

Just my opinion, but I think the cause of this extreme polarization is rather simple. For example, around here in Finland we have this massive boomer generation born right after the last war that completely dominates the democratic system, since this is the biggest voting block in the country and the birth rate has collapsed over the years. Politicians only want keep this generation happy and pay their hefty pensions, everything else is sacrificed and neglected: we have massive problem with youth alienation, mental health, unemployment, loneliness epidemic, immigration etc. And this thing has been going for decades now, it's boiling over. Even the number one argument for the disastrous immigration policies have always been to pay the pensions, nothing else matters. It's this generational gap that's dividing the country. If you can find the average age of the voters of different parties, I can guarantee you the far right, far left and the greens are the parties of the youth while the center right and social democrats are mainly boomer parties. As far as I understand, it's somewhat similar situation all around Europe: the elderly love the center parties, while the youth go for the extremes.

Funnily enough, back when the boomer generation was young, pacifism and the summer of love were a big thing. Now that the biggest voting block is off the hook, there's a massive push for militarism and warmongering. Nice.

edit.

That's basically the surface level, there's all kinds of filth enough for a book series. Take NATO far example, the whole idea has been that America handles everything, so there's been even more neglect everywhere, especially when it comes to young men who normally would fight for your country, not for any ideology but for their families and whatever they happen to own. Take the last 50-60 years of politics in Europe, it's mostly based on this kind of worldview, like radical feminism, corporatism and the destruction of family for example. The public sector competes for talent with the private sector, and these days all the crap gets filtered into politics and bureucracy. That's why politicians are so afraid of free speech these days: they know they are weak and fearful and can't handle any criticism or competition. The EU is the worst, because the parties still need to keep their best people near their voters, so the real shit usually gets sent into this kind of faceless international institutions. Just look at Ursula von der Leyen: she's a complete disaster of a human being, they even call her "Madame Disaster" or something like that in Germany. She rose to her position after Jean Claude Juncker, also known as "Druncker" because of his alcoholism, stepped down and her public image was already crumbling as a minister in Germany.

I could go on and on. There are some severe issues with the whole EU nobody's talking about.