MCC Brussels Election Watch: Beyond the Bubble

MCC BRUSSELS ELECTION WATCH: BEYOND THE BUBBLE

The 2024 EU Parliament elections are billed by the Brussels elites as the last chance to save democracy from the far-right. But, beyond the bubble, there is little enthusiasm for an election characterised mainly by a dull debate over the future of Europe’s least inspiring politician, Ursula von de Leyen. 

The Brussels bubble is so distant from the real concerns of European voters that it has forgotten the major challenges facing ordinary people: 

• The EU’s War on Farming and Energy: A runaway environmental agenda is strangling Europe’s economy and Europe’s farmers, and causing a cost of living crisis. 
• Immigration: Restoring Europe’s Borders: Years of open-door immigration policies have polarised society and undermined the nation state. 
• The Fightback Against Woke: A culture war is being waged on ordinary people, who are subjected to ever-more absurd ideas about gender or race. 
• Disinformation? The EU’s attack on free speech Fundamental democratic freedoms are threatened by the EU’s anti free speech agenda and its dismissal of all critique as “misinformation” – a trend which is particularly dangerous online

MCC Brussels believes the 2024 European Parliamentary elections are a vital opportunity to deliver a message to European elites. 

We have assembled a team of experts and analysts to draw attention to these four major issues over the election period. If you want to understand the real concerns of ordinary voters which will drive the election result, you have to understand how these issues determine the voting patterns of Europeans. 

Members of the press are welcome to submit enquires for comment and interviews from the experts and analysts we have assembled. 

MCC Brussels will be active across social media delivering comment, analysis and reaction to the issues thrown up by the European election. 

Our election issues and experts

We have assembled a select group of experts and activists who have been involved in our work over the recent period. For press requests in a variety of European languages (interviews, background or analysis) please email john.obrien@mcc.hu

In general

Experts and analysts: 

• Professor Frank Furedi, executive director, MCC Brussels; author, “Why Borders Matter” (2020)
• Jacob Reynolds, head of policy, MCC Brussels, author, “MCC Brussels Briefing: EU Migration Pact” (2024)
• Professor Werner J Patzelt, head of research, MCC Brussels
• Richard Schenk, author, MCC Brussels’ report “The silent war on farming” (2023); research fellow, MCC Brussels

The EU’s War on Farming and Energy

A runaway environmental agenda is strangling Europe’s economy and Europe’s farmers and causing a cost-of-living crisis. Farmers and farming communities have been at the forefront of the fightback against the dangerous obsession with Net Zero. The impact of farmer protests is well beyond farmers and their families – clearly, the European electorate are beginning to make the link between the dangerous environmental policies of the EU elite, and the wider attack on living standards and the profound economic malaise Europe finds itself in. 

Inspired by the farmers, this election is an opportunity to push back against the austerity of environmental regulations.

Experts and analysts: 

• Thomas Fazi, author, MCC Brussels’ reports, “Reclaiming food sovereignty” (forthcoming) and “The dangers of carbon farming”; researcher and journalist
• Richard Schenk, author, MCC Brussels’ report “The silent war on farming”;  research fellow, MCC Brussels
• Dr Ralph Schoellhammer, author, MCC Brussels’ report “The case for nuclear”
• On request, MCC Brussels can connect with organisers of the Europe-wide farmers protests

Immigration: Restoring Europe’s Borders

Years of open-door immigration policies have polarised society and undermined the nation state. Across Europe, immigration is one of the key concerns of voters. There is a widespread perception that EU policies have failed to get to grips with the migrant crisis. Yet any questioning of record levels of immigration will see you branded as part of the “far right”. Voters are fed up with these smears and look set to back candidates who promise to return sensible border security to Europe. 

This election is a chance to make the case for strong borders as the foundation for the flourishing of the nation state.

Experts and analysts

• Professor Frank Furedi, executive director, MCC Brussels; author, “Why borders matter” (2020)
• Jacob Reynolds, head of policy, MCC Brussels, author, “MCC Brussels Briefing: EU Migration Pact”
• Goran Adamson, Uppsala University, Sweden; author, MCC Brussels report "Immigration and the transformation of Sweden" (Forthcoming)

The Fightback Against Woke

A culture war is being waged on ordinary people, who are subjected to ever-more absurd ideas about gender or race. Yet anyone who raises a protest is accused of trying to bring “US-style” culture war politics to Europe. In truth, it is the EU elite who are desperately importing California values – they are always on the lookout for “oppressed minorities” they can pretend to be the champions of. Sadly, the EU is more reliant than ever on fringe issues to demonstrate its “progressive” credentials. 

This election is time for Europeans to show that the traditional foundations of European society, and the historical achievements of European civilisation, are something to be proud of.

Experts and analysts: 

• Professor Frank Furedi, executive director, MCC Brussels; author, “The War Against the Past” (forthcoming), Populism and the European Culture Wars (2017)
• Dr Maren Thom, senior research fellow, MCC Brussels; expert on culture, Wokism and media
• Dr Ashley Frawley, senior research fellow, MCC Brussels; author, MCC Brussels’ report, “Families in Fragments: Why the EU should bring back the family”
• Dr Carlton Brick, author, MCC Brussels’ report, “How did LGBTQ take over the EU?”; lecturer in sociology, University of the West of Scotland
• Dr Joanna Williams, author MCC Brussels’ report, “The Politicisation of History Teaching in Europe: Exploiting the past to promote contemporary concerns”; visiting fellow, MCC Budapest

Disinformation? The EU’s attack on free speech

Fundamental democratic freedoms are threatened by the EU’s anti free speech agenda and its dismissal of all critique as “misinformation” – a trend which is particularly dangerous online. The EU seems desperate to control the narrative and is pushing an enormous effort to determine who has the right to speak. It is clear that the more European voters push back against the obsessions of the EU elite, the more they are branded as having fallen for “fake news” – requiring the EU to step in and determine what can be seen and read. 

At this election it is vital we make the case for free speech and a robust exchange of views, without trying to silence opposing voices. 

Experts and analysts: 

• Dr Norman Lewis, visiting research fellow, MCC Brussels; author, MCC Brussels’ reports, “Controlling the Narrative: The EU’s attack on online speech” and “Digital Sovereignty in the New World Order: Reforming the EU’s approach to start-ups, risk, and innovation”
• Professor Bill Durodie, visiting professor, MCC Brussels; Chair of Risk and Security in International Relations at the University of Bath; author, MCC Brussels Reports, “What Does Europe Fear? Understanding the hopes and fears of Europeans” and “The Hollow Flag: The gulf between EU security rhetoric and real security”

Comment in a variety of European Languages

In addition to the above individuals, MCC Brussels staff are available to comment on national results in a variety of European languages.

• Werner J Patzelt, German
• Akos Bence Gat, Hungarian, French
• Philipp Siegert, German, French
• Agniescka Kolek, Polish