European elections and the stakes for national politics

The European elections next week should confirm the main trends seen just about everywhere in Europe. First, the fragmentation of the political landscape. For the first time, the alliance of social democrats and conservatives will not achieve a majority. They will need to ally themselves with the liberals – who are very Europhile – whose influence will grow. Second, the rise of Eurosceptic parties. It would be a cause for concern were they to unite, as this would put them in a po...