For the first time in two decades, the EU’s parliamentary elections will coincide with America’s presidential election. The West’s great democracies could, theoretically, deliver a systemic shock reminiscent of the Brexit-Trump dual victory in 2016.
This idea warrants some context. The establishment European People’s Party (EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen’s party grouping) and Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats will almost certainly retain the top two positions in the parliament.
Euro-watchers are accustomed to seeing lopsided votes on topics that should inspire disagreement: from the treatment of dissenting Central European states, to abortion and sexual education of children, to the ever-present migration issue. (The EU lacks constitutional competencies in most or, arguably, all of these matters.) Vote tallies often reach three-quarters or more for the establishment consensus…
