Deep divisions in EU populist parties could hinder defining bloc's agenda

Populist and nationalist parties fighting the European elections in June are divided on almost all key issues, according to a survey, in a finding that questions their chances of defining the bloc's agenda even in the event of a predicted far-right surge.

- Jon Henley

However, the report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) also said pro-EU parties risked mobilising the Eurosceptic vote if they continued to ape hard-right policies rather than coming up with persuasive alternatives.

"The better alternative is to focus on the weaknesses of Eurosceptic parties and make a geopolitical case for Europe in the time of Trump," said the report's co-author Mark Leonard.

ECFR polling published in January suggested populist, nationalist and far-right parties were on track to finish first in nine EU states including Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland in the June elections, and come second or third in nine more.

Pro-European mainstream parties in the parliament's three big centreright, centre-left and liberal groups could still end up in a much better position than many expect - and even with a workable majority - because of disunity in the anti-EU camp.