Global Affairs

A new kind of populism in Europe

Instead of spewing hatred at foreigners, two political newcomers in Slovakia and Ukraine are winning ground by promising to fight the enemy from within: corruption.

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LONDON • Is Europe's flirtation with populist and often far-right racist movements finally over? It certainly seems so, if one looks at the outcome of two recent elections on the continent.

In Slovakia, a small central European country of 5.4 million inhabitants, and in Ukraine, the vast war-torn eastern European nation, recent ballots were won by politicians who believe in moderation and inclusiveness, open societies, open borders and European integration.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 08, 2019, with the headline A new kind of populism in Europe. Subscribe