Are we heading towards more totalitarian political trends, whether in Europe, the United States or even Canada? Will the polarization between political parties described as extreme right or extreme left in the next elections in France lead Europe towards chaos?
Among our American neighbors, we will soon see the impact of the debate between the two candidates for the American presidency where isolationist and religious ultraconservatives will face defenders of democracy and human rights.
How can we see clearly among all these options available to voters and what impact will their impact be on the Canadian election in 2025?
The rise of discontent
Public opinion is increasingly polarized, as economic and social public policies are no longer able to create hope and a balance between insecurity and inequality. Too many immigrants, some will say, lack of skilled labor, aging of the population, inflation and increase in the cost of living, inaccessibility to housing and property, others will say, everything seems out of control!
Finally, the wear and tear of the political class in power and the absence of competent successors leads us to often fear the worst in this irreversible movement of a need for change, particularly in the United States where the two presidential candidates do not inspire no confidence in the governance of the world’s leading economic and military power.
In Europe, should we fear the coming to power in France of the National Rally, described by some analysts as a far-right party? On the contrary, other observers of French politics describe the New Popular Front as far-left, bringing together the party of La France Insoumise, as well as the Socialist Party and the Communist Party.
These two political clans are leading in the polls ahead of that of President Emmanuel Macron, described as “extreme center”. This game of extreme political labels in France and in Europe makes us aware of the power of popular discontent which is becoming the preferred political weapon to channel a desire for a change of political power leading to the radicalization and polarization of the discourses in presence.
The desire for change
In Canada, the federal Conservative Party could be described by some as extreme right because it seeks to unite anti-interventionist state discontent in the face of the erosion of power of the Liberal Party which governs rather on the center left, thanks to support from the NDP.
Meanwhile, Quebec is still resisting the song of conservative sirens, particularly the religious far right, through its desire to protect its distinct culture (language, secularism, gender equality) while maintaining its identity policies that are unique in North America.
Will we be able to resist the totalitarian temptation which endangers our economic and social achievements? Will the desire for change lead us to consider the creation of a new country that resembles us and brings us together? The coming years will be decisive for the future of the Quebec nation in this unpredictable whirlwind of world politics.
Jean Baillargeon
Strategic communications analyst and consultant
