Members of the Intelligence Community have been warning about this in books that have been published for the last two to five years. Russia has a long term view at destabilizing western democracies that it escalated beginning 2012 . Bit by bit it is leaking out on front pages.
5
Winning a seat in the European parliament is the dream of many of these politicians.
Nowhere else would they be paid nearly €110.000 per year plus up to €550.000 for expenses for 5 years without any real financial oversight or accountability or mandatory attendance in parliamentary sessions.
It's like a golden soap box from which they can continue shouting about how the EU is ruining everything while not offering any realistic solutions to highly complex problems.
4
A vote for RW "populists" in the EU election is a vote for Putin.
4
I love how the Times conflates “populists” with “nationalists.” What gives?
Meanwhile, apparently, progressive populists don’t exist in Europe...?
And I trust nothing the Times says in their unending hyperventilations over Russia. Our own Russiagate media meltdown put the lie to that Deep-State-driven conspiracy theory long ago — not that our mainstream media suffered consequences for promoting it, and unquestioningly.
9
Putin is using populist movements as a tool. It seems to be easier to destabilize the western powers than to stabilize his own country + economy.
Voters on the right: if you love your country like you profess, don't vote for its downfall!
10
This, like in India and the US is considered contemporary populism. Basically authoritarian and revolves around a charismatic leader who appeals to and claims to embody the will of the people in order to consolidate his own power.
What we in the US need is old fashioned populism that seeks to defend the interest and maximize the power of ordinary citizens, through reform rather than revolution. The populist movement of the late 19th century. Many populist ideas from that era later became laws or constitutional amendments (e.g., a progressive tax system). Promotion of populist ideas also allowed for direct democracy to become reality in a number of U.S. states thereby eliminating much of the 'messiness" that pervades our political landscape today.
3
Nationalism, with all its ugliness, rises again. And, once again, voters either refuse to recognize lessons of history or simply do no care if it repeats itself. Distorted views of patriotism lead to nationalism. Nationalism leads to imperialism and war. The ultimate result is harm in some manner to some people. Greed, tribalism, egocentricity and hatred appear to be irremediable aspects of human nature.
11
Russia helped Trump take over America and set us back on affordable healthcare and education, the Paris accords on climate change, and the nuclear agreement with Iran. And his tough-talking stance against our allies and foes (mostly to please his MAGA base) has accomplished nothing but making them hate us.
Now Russia is helping Salvini and LePen to undermine the European Union. Steve Bannon is leading the charge just like he did with Trump, even invoking right-wing Catholics and devilishly stirring up racism.
In the U.K. Brexit would free up everything worth anything to be taken over just as happened in Russia.
6