As the results of the European elections continue causing political turmoil across the EU and progressive parties are scratching their heads trying to figure out how to win back votes, perhaps they should look to their counterparts in India.
Against the odds, they made gains against Narendra Modi and his right-wing party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections for the National Assembly, following a landslide victory in the EU elections of the far-right Rassemblement national, while in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz faced humiliation from the far-right AfD, as did other national leaders of progressive parties across the EU.
Below are key points they could take away from their Indian counterparts from the June 2024 Indian national elections
Connect, Connect, Connect.
Voters want their leaders to be seen as being in touch with them.
It may be too late for the ‘Jupiter President’ Macron, but other leaders need to start re-connecting as soon as possible. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), learned this the hard way following his party’s humiliating defeat in 2019.
During that election, he had to deal with insults describing him as the ‘spoilt prince’ due to his family background: His great-grandfather was Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, while his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, and father, Rajiv Gandhi, were prime ministers too.
By contrast, Modi took pride in calling himself a lowly chowkidar (night watchman), somebody who took pride in looking after his nation, in 2019.
Following the crushing loss of 2019, Gandhi made huge efforts to get rid of his ‘spoilt prince’ image, embarking on a 3,500-km yatra (march), crisscrossing the country, meeting and greeting thousands of people.
By the time of this year’s elections, those putdowns failed to land: it was Modi who was increasingly seen as distant. In one television interview, he even said, “God has sent me for a purpose.”
Build coalitions broad, early, and effectively
A key aspect of the opposition parties gaining seats is that they formed an effective coalition, calling themselves the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance, or the catchy INDIA.
Also, agreeing on seat-sharing deals, where opposition parties would not run against each other in agreed regions, to avoid fracturing votes.
If the progressive parties across Europe want to take on the conservative and far right, they need to make similar practical decisions.
It’s the economy stupid, not identity battles
Like the conservative and far-right parties in Europe, who used identity politics, i.e. highlighting migration, and appealing to a sense of white European nationalism. BJP and Modi pushed a similar message, appealing to a sense of Hindu nationalism.
But what the INDIA opposition offered was a clear and distinct narrative: Highlighting concerns over unemployment and opportunities, especially among younger people, despite the growing economy. This is especially relevant since it was this sector of society that backed the far right across Europe.
Don’t forget the little people
The INDIA coalition identified and made a big play to appeal to a wide cross-section of society, to be as inclusive as possible. Not only religious minorities, including Muslims, but especially lower caste Hindus.
Reminding them of the protections and access to education and government jobs, they currently enjoy, which could be lost if the BJP returned to power.
These vulnerable groups are similar to those in Europe who have been hit badly by the recent food inflation and rise in energy prices, and have turned to the far-right parties who they believe understand their pain.
Progressive parties need to make similar efforts to appeal to these more vulnerable members of society instead of seeing them as the problem.
Uphill struggle
But despite all these clever campaign ideas and tactics, the BJP and Modi still won the most seats in the Indian Parliament, and by building a coalition with other like-minded parties are now in power for a historical third term.
Progressives, both in India and Europe, still have a long way to go to get back into power, but they need to start with the basic steps.
The Roundup
Slovakia will support the candidacy of the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the position of NATO Secretary General, in exchange for assistance from the Netherlands in securing its air defence, President Peter Pellegrini announced on Tuesday following the conclusion of an extraordinary European Council meeting.
Jordan Bardella, the up-and-coming young leader of France’s far-right Rassemblement national (RN), said he would only become prime minister if his party secures an absolute majority in the National Assembly, as a coalition with other political forces would be close to impossible.
The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) group is set to officially welcome 11 new members at a meeting on Tuesday, but the party leadership is also eyeing a closer alliance with Belgium’s N-VA, currently sitting with the hard right.
The European Council will not consider health as a priority for the next five years, according to a leaked draft of the EU’s Strategic Agenda seen by Euractiv.
French far-right politicians elected to Brussels are rushing back to Paris, campaigning to take seats in the next parliamentary assembly, with half of the 80 on the EU elections list running at the national level.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer opted against dissolving the government after Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) voted in favour of the EU nature restoration law despite his party’s rejection of the initiative.
Look out for…
- Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski participates in Committee of Regions plenary session for debate and adoption of opinion on future of CAP on Wednesday.
- Commissioner Thierry Breton in Athens, meets with Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday.
- Eurogroup meeting on Thursday.
Views are the author’s
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]