Nationalism in Europe

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movements on the rise and anti-immigration policies becoming more favourable.

The implications of the 2007-9 sovereign debt crisis provided right wing political parties fuel to influence Frances immigration agenda. Mariw Le Pen’s French Front National party remains to be one of the most prominent right wing groups in Western Europe, despite being liberal democratic country and is perceived as the primary driving force behind debate in regards to immigration policy since the 1980’s. The ruling parties’ focus on fiscal austerity and supply-side of policies of privatisation, de-regulation and liberalisation triggered economic stagnation, rising unemployment, increasing poverty and diminishing EU solidarity that paved the way for ultra-nationalism. Front National’s agenda is predominantly focused on defence of French values, identity and tradition, protection of French agriculture, border control restoration of the supremacy of national law before European law and have also called for the renouncement of the Euro in France which gave them increasing power in the 1990’s after the signing of the Maastrich Treaty. The party has claimed support due to its strong advocacy of anti-immigration of Arab and Muslims immigrants associated with crime and unemployment. The rise of the Front National party has been claimed to be attributed to the effects of globalisation and Europeanisation among other historical, political and social factors. The salience of the party’s rise is due to their strong anti-immigration policies which lies on the notion that areas with high immigration are more likely to support the party than other areas. Furthermore, with the proliferation of Islamist extremism and terrorist attacks such as the 2015 in Paris leaving 130 dead, Front National’s anti-Muslim rhetoric fuelled support in polls. Le Pen stated “France and French are no longer safe” calling for borders to be closed and migrants deported accusing President Hollande for failing to protect France. The migrant crisis also has caused major concerns for the French population as more than 878,000 migrants arrived in Europe in 2015. Front National used this as to instil fear into the French population as there are not enough schools, jobs or housing to accommodate migrants.

In conclusion, the concept of European integration is idealist and although in theory the approach may seem to be effective to mitigate identity tensions between communities, it is an unrealistic one. Most citizens throughout Europe identify with the nation over the state and based upon national identity is constructed on the basis of a historical narrative in order to find solidarity. Nationalism can be associated with triumph and success and sometimes can lead to dis-engagement, evident in the Euro zone financial crisis that spanned across 2007-9. These implications presented a new challenge for the EU dealing with global crisis’ such as conflict and the refugee influx which gave radical right wing parties such as Front National, the ammunition to gain power and influence in France. As these types of radical political groups have proliferated throughout Europe in recent years, serious doubts regarding whether the integration is the most effective approach to alleviating identity issues among nations or in fact is the driving force of nationalism.

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