If violence breaks out in European democracies

The economic-financial crisis of 2008-12, indiscriminate austerity, globalisation as ungoverned as the waves of migration that overthrew societies unprepared to receive them, political parties distracted and increasingly distant from the real problems of their constituents, growing gaps between rich and poor, the disappearance of the middle class, demographic decline and uncertainties about the future have gradually eliminated the checks and balances that guaranteed the orderly living of democracies.

The onslaught of right-wing and left-wing populisms that has crucified the traditional parties, the ever more volatile and extreme consensus, anti-Semitism rearing its head again, the entry onto the scene of the social media transformed into unlikely but destabilising protagonists of an imaginary agora, but one capable of greatly disrupting consensus, have done the rest. By now, everywhere, even in the ex-paradises of Scandinavia, even in Germany, which believed itself definitively vaccinated from insane fanaticism, Europe is struck by the virus of opposing extremisms, of blind polarisations that criminalise dissent or different opinions. In a climate of radicalisation of ideas and behaviour that is increasingly driven, of blanket disinformation (new sanctions against Russia on the subject are ready), even freedom of expression is overflowing with uncontrolled licence to spew violence, whether verbal, physical or armed.

The attempted assassination of Fico is the tip of an iceberg that sees rampant beatings and personal attacks on politicians and activists of all colours in Germany, France and elsewhere in this European election campaign.

The drift could complicate Europe's governance in the next five-year period called to make momentous choices, starting with the solid financing of the recovery of growth, competitiveness and cutting-edge technological innovation, energy and green transition. And common defence. All the more so since the Russian advance in Ukraine risks making the war, and its possible encroachment on border countries, whether members or not of the EU and NATO, the fulcrum of crucial decisions for its future survival and independence.

An excess of nationalistic introversions, which promise to spread like wildfire after Geert Wilders' far-right in the Netherlands also managed to ally with Rutte's Liberals, the NSC Populars and the Farmers' Party, could end up blocking the radical change that Europe, in the Russia-China vice, vitally needs today. All the more so if, in deference to the new times that lapse even its democracy, America should decide to re-elect Donald Trump and his isolationist protectionism.