France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Greece and Albania have seen large-scale protests and violent protests with different causes. Somewhere there was the issue of inflation, somewhere the rising cost of education and somewhere the accommodation problem. But incidents of vandalism, arson and looting during the protests that started over economic issues took a different turn.
Clashes with the police, arson of public property and looting of big brand showrooms in France made headlines. Reports of vandalism also surfaced in Italian cities including Milan. Protests in Belgium and Greece were said to have led to friction, while Spain saw discontent over issues such as housing and the cost of living.
The question here is that problems like inflation, cost of education and house rent have not suddenly arisen today. These issues have long been debated in European countries. So why is there so much talk of violent incidents and scenarios of anarchy amidst this same kind of economic discontent? Is this situation being used by any political party in their interest? And most importantly, what do these events have to do with Trump’s politics in the run-up to mid-term elections in America?
Trump’s migration policy and the strategy of making an example of Europe
The issues of ‘America First’ and strict controls on migration have been at the center of US President Donald Trump’s politics. Trump has always argued that America’s borders should be secured and people entering illegally should be stopped. His administration presents this policy as a combination of national security and the interests of American citizens.
But now the instability created in Europe is also being seen linked to this same political debate. Europe can be an example for Trump and his supporters. If social tensions, violence, or law-and-order problems surfaced in European countries, they could be presented in favor of tighter restrictions on migration in the United States.
The political meaning of this argument is clear: to send a message to the American electorate that if the borders are not controlled, America could end up in a Europe-like situation. Therefore, every violent event that takes place in Europe can be useful in the internal political debate of America. For this reason, the events in Europe are being seen not only as domestic protests, but also in terms of Trump’s political strategy.
What does Trump have to gain from Europe’s chaos before the midterm elections?
The timing of mid-term elections in the US is politically important for Trump. It is already on the back foot from the ill-advised decision to go to war with Iran. His party’s performance in this election may give an indication of the voters’ attitude towards the government’s policies. In such a situation, issues like inflation, employment, foreign policy and migration can influence voters.
With Trump’s popularity in question and his administration facing challenges at home, bringing the issue of migration back to center stage could be politically useful. When videos of violence and vandalism in Europe reach American voters, Trump’s supporters can present them as examples of the success of their policies.
That is, even more important than what is happening in Europe may be how these events are presented in America. If every problem in Europe is presented as linked to migration, voters who support Trump’s ‘America First’ policy may feel vindicated.
This is the political angle of the whole incident. Europe’s chaos can become a comparison for Trump, on the basis of which he can try to prove his policies in America more effective and those of his opponents as failures.
History of Bangladesh and Nepal
Sheikh Hasina’s government fell after the student agitation in Bangladesh. Even in Nepal, after the protests of Generation-Z, K.P. Sharma Oli’s government had to relinquish power.
In both these countries, youth movements, discontent against the government and political change were at the center of discussion. Based on these events, some analysts question whether international powers are trying to use local discontent to influence political change.
The current course of events in Europe is also being viewed from this point of view. When protests erupt between different economic problems in several countries and violence erupts in some places, there are fears of an organized strategy behind it.
Europe’s instability and Trump’s claim of superiority
The most important point in this whole scenario is how Europe’s problems are presented in comparison to Trump’s policies. If the problems of inflation, migration and social tensions in Europe continue to be discussed, Trump can claim to his supporters that his strict policies have saved America from such situations.
Thus Europe remains not only a foreign policy issue, but the political arm of America’s internal elections. If events in Europe are presented before the mid-term elections with continued migration, it may be easier to get votes from Trump supporters.
Ultimately, the questions raised by the protests, vandalism and chaos in six European countries are not limited to inflation or migration. The US election, Trump’s political strategy and the competition to establish influence in global politics are also connected with it. Trump can use these events to justify his own policies, but concrete evidence is still needed to prove whether America was directly behind the chaos.
Now the cars will run on E100 fuel instead of petrol, the government has paved the way for E100 fuel cars, know which cars will run?
. Source
