Washington D.C., USA - June 10, 2024

Storyline:
The significant gains of right-wing groups in the European Parliament (EP) elections are a reflection of voter dissatisfaction with the economic impacts of immigration and green transition, coupled with concerns about escalating geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, said Anton Fedyashin, a history professor at American University.

Right-wing groups are projected to secure substantial gains in the 2024 EP elections, diminishing the influence of centrist parties, according to preliminary estimate results released by the EP early Monday.

The results sent a signal that most of the European population is dissatisfied with the functioning of the European Union (EU), particularly concerning the economic situation in the continent. This poses a significant challenge to the pro-Europe mainstream officials who hold sway over the institutions of the EU, Fedyashin said in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

According to the expert, voters across EU member states are expressing concerns over the costs associated with the immigration and green transition, as well as a growing sense of geopolitical tensions, including the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As a result, right-wing groups are seizing upon these grievances, gaining an advantage in the elections.

Notably, the Russian economy exhibited the highest growth rate in Europe last year, and it is projected to potentially outperform European economies once again this year. Concurrently, Europe is facing mounting challenges, with many politicians discussing the concept of de-industrialization, Fedyashin noted.

Furthermore, when the green transition started planning for a shift away from hydrocarbons, Russian gas was considered a potential energy source that could replace coal in certain areas. It was envisioned as a transitional fuel, offering Europe ample time to transition to cleaner alternatives such as solar and wind energy, according to Fedyashin.

Shotlist:
Washington D.C., USA - June 10, 2024:
File: Brussels, Belgium - Dec 15, 2022
1. EU flags, buildings;
Washington D.C., USA - June 10, 2024;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Anton Fedyashin, professor of history, American University (partially overlaid with shots 3-4, ending with shot 5):
"Ultimately, what the EU elections are about is governance, this is essentially a referendum on governance. Now, the way the EU is structured and the way that it runs is sort of [a] rubber-stamping institution than something that actually governs. For example, it can't initiate legislation, only approve or disapprove it. It does send a signal, however, that a sizable majority of the European population is unhappy with the way things are going, especially about the economic situation in Europe. And that is a signal that I hope the EU hears."
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Dec 15, 2022
3. EU flags;
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - April 17, 2024
4. Various of Justus Lipsius building (main seat of Council of EU), EU flags
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
FILE: Trieste, Italy - June 27, 2022;
5. Aerial shots of Trieste Marine Terminal, cranes, containers, freight trains;
FILE: Paris, France - January 2024
6. Stores, pedestrians;
7. Various of sales sign;
Washington D.C., USA - June 10, 2024;
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Anton Fedyashin, professor of history, American University (starting with shot 7, partially overlaid with shots 9-10):
"I think the answer is actually fairly simple -- questions of immigration. And the second issue of course is economic performance. And what we've seen since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022; the EU rushed forward with massive amounts of sanctions against the Russians, and most importantly for the European populations is the severing of business ties and the severing of energy links, which were the basis of a healthy and strong EU economy. This has created a massive economic crisis for the EU, something that no one thought about, no one predicted at the time."
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
FILE: Kiev, Ukraine - 2018
9. Various of Ukrainian parliament building;
FILE: Mariupol, Donetsk - April 19, 2022;
10. Various of tanks firing
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
FILE: Russia - Date Unknown;
11. Various of oil tanker train;
12. Various of rigs in operation;
FILE: Sabetta, Yamal Peninsula, Russia - Aug 9, 2018
13. Various of facilities at gas field, workers, flames coming out of chimney, trucks;
Washington D.C., USA - June 10, 2024;
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Anton Fedyashin, professor of history, American University (starting with shots 11-13):
"With the cut off of Russian gas and then prices spiking all of a sudden, the green revolution, although it was not going to be easy to begin with, but it was certainly worth it. Now it's becoming exorbitantly expensive. And when you place people into a position of choosing between surviving and raising their kids in a reasonably safe and comfortable environment and the fate of the planet, unfortunately, we human beings are structured in a way that we will think of ourselves first and of more abstract issues later. So, this is definitely very bad news for the green transition.";
FILE: Vladivostok, Russia - April 21, 2021
15. Aerial shots of port facilities.

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