The effects of rampant regional unrest, including because of continued Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, will surely seep out of the region and into Europe which prepares for the elections of the European Parliament (EP) which consists of 720 members from 27 countries.
The Israeli war on Gaza comes to the fore as left-wing parties jockey with far-right parties to win seats in the parliament.
This brings the war to the centre of ordinary people’s interests in the streets of the old continent.
The war is expected to impact the EP polls on many counts, particularly as far as the positions of the different parties and candidates on it are concerned.
The war will unite some parties and cause antagonism between others. This will reflect on these parties’ agendas as well as their ability to win voter support.
The Gaza war will also open the door for debates on EU foreign policies. The same debates will significantly influence voter preferences in the elections.
People may have different opinions about the EU’s position on the conflict. This can lead to unexpected electoral shifts and affect the distribution of seats in the EP.
Speculation is also rife about whether the war can impact the results of the elections, especially given approval by the EP on January 18 of a resolution that calls for a conditional ceasefire in Gaza.
The war will predictably play a role in shaping Europeans’ preferences for their parliament. This is especially true with growing global awareness about the Palestinian issue and the continued eruption of pro-Palestine protests.
Some European states, led by Spain, have already recognised Palestine as a state. This comes at a time the war in Gaza raises a wave of emotions and tensions around the world, especially in Europe which occupies a prominent position in international affairs.
The EU is a key player when it comes to efforts to reach diplomatic solutions to international crises. The way, the bloc deals with the current crisis in Gaza may influence the decisions of the voters in the EP elections.
Europe experiences a major political and humanitarian gap. Although EU laws support human rights and reject killing and bloodshed, this bloc cannot implement these laws in the case of Israeli massacres in Gaza.
Before the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the European-Palestinian Council for Political Relations launched the ‘Be Influential’ campaign to encourage Europeans to vote for those who support Palestinian rights in the EP elections.
In a nutshell, the Gaza war will have an impact on the EP elections, whether by changing the positions of parties and candidates or by determining voters’ priorities and political orientations.
Mohamed Fahmy is the editor-in-chief of The Egyptian Gazette and Egyptian Mail newspapers
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