Description: Europe faces key election cycle spreading from Lisbon to Bucharest and Warsaw as the continent faces the rapid rise of the populist far – right while facing internal political and security divisions. In Portugal, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s failed vote of confidence led to the elections which are stained by the rise of the far – right party called Chega. Poland’s presidential election would see Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski face independent Karol Nawrocki and the far – right candidate Slawomir Mentzen. Romania’s political upheaval was marked by Calin Georgescu’s disqualification from the elections by the country’s Constitutional Court which fueled support for the controversial George Simion who would face Bucharest’s centrist mayor Nicusor Dan. The elections in the three countries are scheduled to take place on Sunday, as Europe struggles to establish a unified front facing growing security threats from Russia and the far – right political winds which stormed the entire political landscape throughout the entire continent.
Impact: The European Union faces a crucial election cycle which could further disintegrate the Union’s global position in the midst of the dissolution of transatlantic relations with the US and growing security threats from Russia. Poland as EU’s eastern stronghold is expected to deliver an outcome which would realign the country on its European path with Rafal Trzaskowski set to become the country’s next President. Romania is faced with the growing rise of the far – right populist movement which would most probably result in a George Simion triumph, significantly modifying the country’s approach towards the EU as Simion’s political charter is mostly aligned with Slovakia’s Fico or Hungary’s Orban. Portugal’s Luis Montenegro has consistently failed to establish stable governance as the country is also facing significant pressure from the rise of the far -right Chega. Sunday’s election cycle would most certainly have a substantial impact on the Union’s future, as EU still battles internal divisions, pressure on its defense and economic sectors and its foreign policy relevance.