As France erupts, Europe's far right gains from fuel-price anger ahead of elections
SPY•Surging energy prices linked to the Iran conflict are fueling protests and boosting far-right parties ahead of elections in France, Italy and Poland. The European Commission estimates the conflict has cost Europe about €100 billion, while gas prices have risen roughly 140% and diesel prices have doubled.
1. Protests spread across Europe
Rising fuel and living costs have helped drive demonstrations and unrest in France, Italy, Portugal and other European countries. In Sicily, farmers say fuel costs have made machinery prohibitively expensive; a local farmers’ representative said fuel costs had more than doubled. Roadblocks by truckers, farmers and steelworkers have disrupted transport in parts of southern Italy.
2. Fuel costs shape campaigns
In France, far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and hard-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon have made fuel prices central campaign issues ahead of next April’s presidential election. Le Pen has proposed sharply cutting value-added tax on fuel, and her ratings have improved while President Emmanuel Macron’s have slipped since the Iran war began, according to Elabe polling.
3. Parties call for Russian energy
Germany’s AfD is leading national opinion polls and argues for restoring energy ties with Russia. In Italy, the new far-right National Future party advocates restoring gas links with Russia, while Poland’s Confederation of the Polish Crown has called for renewed purchases of Russian oil and gas. Political scientist Gilles Ivaldi said purchasing-power concerns have become a major driver of populist politics across Europe.
