The populist wave that has swept through Europe has brought with it a wave of anti-globalization sentiment. This has manifested itself most alarmingly in the rise of right-wing populist politics which has led to a rise in xenophobia, racism and other illiberal policies. But this wave of populism has not gone unnoticed by the European Union. In the Netherlands, a recent visit by President Trump showed just how deep the populist problem still is in Europe.
The visit by the U.S. President sparked a wave of protest across the country. Demonstrators took to the streets in major cities like Amsterdam and The Hague in an effort to make their voices heard. Protesters carried banners, flags and placards to convey their message to the President. While most of the demonstration was peaceful, some of the rhetoric that was used was not in line with the values of the European Union
A particular moment that exemplified the illiberal attitude among some of the protesters came when demonstrators threw out the Dutch national anthem when the American national anthem was played. While this was a brief flash in the larger picture, it highlighted the growing divide between those who support right-wing populist politics and those that oppose it or support more moderate laws and opinions.
Moreover, it highlighted the fact that Europe still has a populist problem. While most of the populace of the Netherlands would not agree with the rhetoric or behavior of these protestors, it is within their right to express themselves, and President Trump’s actions will only encourage further demonstrations and outbursts of discontent.
Europe is in a unique situation, as it has yet to decide on how to respond to this populist wave that is sweeping across the continent. While it is important that Europeans adhere to the values of the European Union, it is also vital that the right to peaceful protest and opinion amongst its citizens is not infringed upon. The ‘Trump moment’ in the Netherlands shows that, while Europeans will continue to stand up for their liberal values, the EU still faces a populist problem.
