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Explore the rise of anti-immigration feelings and right-wing politics in the context of EU enlargements, highlighting challenges faced by new member states. From economic disparities to social tensions, delve into the complexities impacting European unity.
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The Negative Side of Enlargement: Anti-Immigration Feelings and Right-Wing Politics
The Enlargement Towards the East • 2007: Bulgaria and Romania • 2004: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia. • 1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden • 1980s: Greece, Portugal, Spain. • 1973: Denmark, Ireland, U.K.
Why the Negative attitude? • The new members are at much lower levels of economic development
Why the Negative attitude? • Magnitude of enlargement: population growth from 380 million to 494 million. • Different nature of the EU/EC: • Regional Development Fund • Freedom of movement across countries since 1992
The European Regional Development Fund: Eligibility 1994-1999
The European Regional Development Fund: Eligibility 2000-2006
Italy’s Backlash against Romanians • November 2007 a Romanian raped and killed an Italian woman • Violence against the Roma camps in the main cities • It helped Berlusconi come back to power • Thousands of Romanians were rounded and sent back.
Backlash against Romas • Gypsy encampments outside all major Italian cities • 2008 Emergenza Nomadi • 150,000 gypsies in Italy • Gates around camps • Finger prints • Three camps in Naples were burned to the ground
Where do gypsies come from and why? • Most gypsies live in Eastern Europe: • Why? Video: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5TcutjWz-o&playnext_from=TL&videos=GYgkKJCFIJU
Enlargement and the Right-Wing Parties • The negative aspects of the Enlargement are brought to the electorate by the new right wing parties. • What do the right wing parties stand for? • Anti- Immigration and anti EU • Nationalism and xenophobia • Traditional values of the society
A list of right-wing parties in Western Europe • Austria: Freedom Party • Belgium: National Front, Flemish Block • Denmark: Progress Party • France: National Front • Germany: German People’s Union • Italy: Lega Nord, Tricolor Flame • Netherlands: Pim Fortuyn List • Spain: National Alliance, National Union • UK: UK Independence Party
Right-Wing Parties and Immigration Front National: ‘At the origin of most of most of the problems of our country for the last thirty years there has been a menacing immigration policy that has been perpetuated by successive governments.’ EP elections: 2009: 6.3; 2004: 10%; 1999: 5.7 UKIP: We will freeze immigration for five years, speed up deportation of up to a million illegal immigrants by tripling the numbers engaged in deportations, and have ‘no home no visa’ work permits to ease the housing crisis.’ EP elections: 2009: 16%; 2004: 16%; 1999: 7%