{"id":2125058,"date":"2026-09-02T18:30:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2125058"},"modified":"2026-09-02T18:30:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:30:48","slug":"the-surge-of-the-far-right-who-is-to-blame-meps-face-off-in-the-ring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2125058","title":{"rendered":"The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs face off in The Ring"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/85\/43\/1200x675_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922601-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922601\" data-cid=\"9899208\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922601-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_93854016-421e-5d89-9af6-07df6b4e0f3a-9898954.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Charles III of England with French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the British Museum in London, 2 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Macron, King Charles hail UK-France ties at Bayeux Tapestry exhibit\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922669-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922669\" data-cid=\"9899181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922669-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/04\/83\/11\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_09e2d377-a480-5cf6-a23e-fc9fc4a2ec59-4831128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This April 4, 2016 file photo shows Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in Malta on Oct. 16, 2017.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/69\/189x106_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922608-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922608\" data-cid=\"9899127\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/97\/189x106_cmsv2_a76e691b-5c40-5e28-a2bb-8af712084f79-9898997.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers secure the area around the Schachen racecourse after a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, on Sunday, 30 August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Swiss rave shooting suspect reportedly had &#8216;psychological problems&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922601-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922601\" data-cid=\"9899208\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922601-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_93854016-421e-5d89-9af6-07df6b4e0f3a-9898954.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Charles III of England with French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the British Museum in London, 2 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Macron, King Charles hail UK-France ties at Bayeux Tapestry exhibit\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922669-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922669\" data-cid=\"9899181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922669-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/04\/83\/11\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_09e2d377-a480-5cf6-a23e-fc9fc4a2ec59-4831128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This April 4, 2016 file photo shows Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in Malta on Oct. 16, 2017.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/69\/189x106_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922608-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922608\" data-cid=\"9899127\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/97\/189x106_cmsv2_a76e691b-5c40-5e28-a2bb-8af712084f79-9898997.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers secure the area around the Schachen racecourse after a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, on Sunday, 30 August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Swiss rave shooting suspect reportedly had &#8216;psychological problems&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          My Europe Series<\/p>\n<p>                          The Ring<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs face off in The Ring<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/85\/43\/1536x864_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"MEPs Bentele (EPP) and Germain (S&amp;D) in The Ring\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              MEPs Bentele (EPP) and Germain (S&amp;D) in The Ring<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Euronews\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspStefan Grobe\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1788373848\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-02 20:30:48 +02:00\">02\/09\/2026 &#8211; 20:30 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span 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class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        All eyes are on the election in the small east German state of Saxony-Anhalt. A potential absolute majority for the far-right there could shake up German politics and rattle Europe. The beginning of a new crisis?<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>On Sunday, Saxony-Anhalt could become the centre of a political earthquake. The AfD party is polling at more than 40 percent, far ahead of Friedrich Merz\u2019s Christian Democrats (CDU).<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Such a strong result could give the far right a path to governing a German state for the first time since World War II. That would shatter one of the most important political taboos in modern Germany \u2014 and send a powerful signal to Europe.<\/p>\n<p>A stronger AfD would mean a tougher battle over migration, climate policy and support for Ukraine \u2014 and potentially a more difficult Germany for the EU to rely on at a time when Europe is already facing enormous geopolitical pressure.<\/p>\n<p>So, is Saxony-Anhalt simply expressing frustration with the political establishment? Or are we about to witness a turning point for Germany \u2014 and potentially for Europe? And who is to blame?<\/p>\n<p>These are the core questions of this edition of <em>The Ring<\/em>, featuring two members of the European Parliament: Hildegard Bentele, a German MEP from the centre-right European People\u2019s Party (EPP) and Jean-Marc Germain, a French MEP from the Socialists &amp; Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>In the European Parliament, Bentele is the Vice-chair of the Committee on Development and a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. She also chairs the Delegation for relations with Israel. <\/p>\n<p>She says: \u201cAs Christian-Democrats, we\u2019re convinced that the only way to counter the rise of the far-right in Saxony-Anhalt, in Germany and across Europe, is listening closely to people, offering realistic solutions and presenting &#8211; based on our values &#8211; an optimistic vision for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Germain, an economist, was adviser to former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and is one of the main figures within the Socialists &amp; Democrats Group (S&amp;D) in the European Parliament, where he serves as the group\u2019s lead on budgetary issues. <\/p>\n<p>Germain says: \u201cAs long as Europe fails to build economic sovereignty, the far right will thrive in the regions devastated by globalisation and de-industrialisation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>The Ring<\/em> is hosted by Stefan Grobe, produced by Luis Albertos Altarejos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Saxony-Anhalt election: who is behind &#8220;tactical voting&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Far-right activists to sue European Commission over &#8216;remigration&#8217; rejection<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  AfD&#8217;s failure to appeal &#8216;extremist&#8217; classification in Saxony raises questions over national ban<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Parliament<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  right-wing populism<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Germany<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Far-right<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Alternative for Germany<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922611-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922611\" data-cid=\"9899000\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922611-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/00\/320x180_cmsv2_1119a9ac-36ed-5ca8-ba80-08b950e3c13a-9899000.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium pushes back against new attempt to use Russian assets<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922572-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922572\" data-cid=\"9898725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922572-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/87\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_214c706e-6f5b-58bc-8500-13eedc2d66c6-9898725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Aeroflot&apos;s passengers planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 1, 2022\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine formally warns airlines that Russian airspace is unsafe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922552-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/86\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_d64dbf35-a4c3-5571-a655-403afea1acd9-9898630.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"250 gram gold bars of 999.9 purity stacked in the safe deposit boxes room in Munich, 25 April, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US and Canada to UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922479-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922479\" data-cid=\"9898387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922479-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/83\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_6fb03c82-dc10-5a3e-825c-70acfbc68290-9898387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen deliver press statement in Brussels, Belgium 2 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe must brace for new security &#8216;era&#8217;, von der Leyen says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2921916-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921916\" data-cid=\"9895601\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Death of Germany&#8217;s richest man creates a giant charitable foundation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922302-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922302\" data-cid=\"9897551\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Thailand confirms it will cut visa-free stays for EU travellers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US and Canada to UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922307-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922307\" data-cid=\"9897687\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ryanair&#8217;s Boeing 737 stairs tied to hundreds of passenger falls, study says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922364-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922364\" data-cid=\"9897774\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy warns \u2018Russian airspace will effectively be closing\u2019<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922611-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922611\" data-cid=\"9899000\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922611-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/00\/320x180_cmsv2_1119a9ac-36ed-5ca8-ba80-08b950e3c13a-9899000.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium pushes back against new attempt to use Russian assets<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922572-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922572\" data-cid=\"9898725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922572-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/87\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_214c706e-6f5b-58bc-8500-13eedc2d66c6-9898725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Aeroflot&apos;s passengers planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 1, 2022\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine formally warns airlines that Russian airspace is unsafe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922552-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/86\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_d64dbf35-a4c3-5571-a655-403afea1acd9-9898630.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"250 gram gold bars of 999.9 purity stacked in the safe deposit boxes room in Munich, 25 April, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US and Canada to UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922479-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922479\" data-cid=\"9898387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922479-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/83\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_6fb03c82-dc10-5a3e-825c-70acfbc68290-9898387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen deliver press statement in Brussels, Belgium 2 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe must brace for new security &#8216;era&#8217;, von der Leyen says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921916-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921916\" data-cid=\"9895601\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Death of Germany&#8217;s richest man creates a giant charitable foundation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922302-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922302\" data-cid=\"9897551\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Thailand confirms it will cut visa-free stays for EU travellers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US and Canada to UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922307-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922307\" data-cid=\"9897687\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ryanair&#8217;s Boeing 737 stairs tied to hundreds of passenger falls, study says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922364-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922364\" data-cid=\"9897774\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy warns \u2018Russian airspace will effectively be closing\u2019<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">On Sunday, Saxony-Anhalt could become the centre of a political earthquake. The AfD party is polling at more than 40 percent, far ahead of Friedrich Merz\u2019s Christian Democrats (CDU).Such a strong result could give the far right a path to governing a German state for the first time since World War II. That would shatter one of the most important political taboos in modern Germany \u2014 and send a powerful signal to Europe.A stronger AfD would mean a tougher battle over migration, climate policy and support for Ukraine \u2014 and potentially a more difficult Germany for the EU to rely on at a time when Europe is already facing enormous geopolitical pressure.So, is Saxony-Anhalt simply expressing frustration with the political establishment? Or are we about to witness a turning point for Germany \u2014 and potentially for Europe? And who is to blame?These are the core questions of this edition of The Ring, featuring two members of the European Parliament: Hildegard Bentele, a German MEP from the centre-right European People\u2019s Party (EPP) and Jean-Marc Germain, a French MEP from the Socialists &amp; Democrats.In the European Parliament, Bentele is the Vice-chair of the Committee on Development and a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. She also chairs the Delegation for relations with Israel.She says: \u201cAs Christian-Democrats, we\u2019re convinced that the only way to counter the rise of the far-right in Saxony-Anhalt, in Germany and across Europe, is listening closely to people, offering realistic solutions and presenting &#8211; based on our values &#8211; an optimistic vision for the future.\u201dGermain, an economist, was adviser to former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and is one of the main figures within the Socialists &amp; Democrats Group (S&amp;D) in the European Parliament, where he serves as the group\u2019s lead on budgetary issues.Germain says: \u201cAs long as Europe fails to build economic sovereignty, the far right will thrive in the regions devastated by globalisation and de-industrialisation.&#8221;The Ring is hosted by Stefan Grobe, produced by Luis Albertos Altarejos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/02\/the-surge-of-the-far-right-who-is-to-blame-meps-face-off-in-the-ring&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/85\/43\/1200x675_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Macron, King Charles hail UK-France ties at Bayeux Tapestry exhibit Europe News Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case Europe News Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta Europe News Swiss rave shooting suspect reportedly had &#8216;psychological problems&#8217; Europe News Macron, King Charles [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2125058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2125058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2125058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2125058\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2125058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2125058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2125058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}