Eu-skeptic Parties Gain Ground As Mainstream Leaders Stay Silent

This silence reflects a broader unease among mainstream leaders who fear that engaging directly with the issue could further energize nationalist movements. The trend has been most visible in countries like France, Italy, and the Netherlands, where populist parties have gained significant ground in recent elections. Analysts suggest that the reluctance to address the EU's future may ultimately weaken the pro-European consensus that has shaped the continent's politics for decades.