Interview: „Nie war Europa in seiner Existenz stärker bedroht als heute“

Timothy Garton Ash, a British historian, recently expressed his deepest concerns about the existential threats facing Europe today. The 71-year-old historian believes that Europe, which once seemed a foreign concept to the elites, is now a daily reality that requires immediate attention. In his recently published book, "Europe in 7 ½ Chapters," Garton Ash begins by discussing the importance of recognizing how much Europe has achieved since 1945 – a period during which the continent has become relatively peaceful, free, and prosperous.

However, Garton Ash warns that this progress is now being threatened both externally, by the geopolitical rivalry of major powers like the United States, China, and Russia, and internally, as populist movements on both the right and left sides of the political spectrum continue to rise. These movements, he argues, are fueled by a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo – a dissatisfaction that finds common ground among citizens across Europe.

Garton Ash argues that if all political parties in Europe were to unite against right-wing and left-wing populists, it would be an ineffective strategy. Instead, he calls for emotional intelligence from politicians and emphasizes that the establishment – or the middle ground of liberal democracies – has failed to address the needs of many people. This lack of success has driven voters to the political extremes, both left and right.

Furthermore, Garton Ash suggests that political parties must confront the underlying causes of discontent rather than relying solely on partisan vetoes. He argues against the creation of a political "brand wall" that could prevent the moderate center from gaining a foothold in government. Instead, he encourages a more effective approach that involves tackling the root causes of dissatisfaction through constitutional checks and balances, independent public services, and independent public broadcasting.

Garton Ash also advises against conservatives aligning themselves with right-wing populists. He notes that conservative and liberal conservative parties in Europe have historically drawn clear lines against extreme right-wing, reactionary nationalism, and fascism. These distinctions must be preserved to maintain the unique nature of Europe's center-right political establishment.