It is no secret that the European Union is facing many challenges. Despite a wave of optimism in the first half of 2017, following Emmanuel Macron’s triumph and the defeat of Marine Le Pen, it is now clear that the optimism was overstated. As the EU heads into 2018, serious challenges remain. Political divisions between East and West, a lingering refugee crisis, strong support for populist parties, and Brexit are the most prominent. Volatility in Italy, continuing public support for the populist right Sweden Democrats and entrenched support for Viktor Orbán in Hungary − three countries that have elections in 2018 − will dominate debates about the broader direction of Europe.
Europe’s unheard majority
Matthew Goodwin and Thomas Raines on the political tribes that will shape the EU’s future
