MEP elections: Understanding cultural conservatism

So far, candidates approved by political parties to contest the EP elections next June, have been very careful to toe the party line and express particular ideologies.

Obviously, they want us to vote for them assuring us that they will do their best to protect our future. But do voters stop and question what are the different points of view that criss-cross the political spectrums reigning in the European Parliament?

Primarily we meet cultural conservatism. This has been observed in various European countries, and the trend has been influenced by a range of factors, including geopolitical events and shifts in global politics.

The trend towards cultural conservatism in Europe has been influenced by various factors, including concerns about security and stability in the face of geopolitical events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of conservative political movements in the United States, conflicts in the Middle East and Houthis rebel fighters at the Red Sea.

These events have contributed to a climate of uncertainty and have led to a re-evaluation of cultural and national identity in some European countries.

It's important to note that the trend towards cultural conservatism is complex and multifaceted, and it is influenced by a wide range of factors beyond just geopolitical events. Economic, social, and historical factors also play a significant role in shaping cultural and political attitudes in Europe.

Some European countries where cultural conservatism has shown a preference include Poland: Poland has seen a rise in cultural conservatism, with the government promoting traditional values and policies aligned with conservative social and cultural norms.

Another strong contender for the title is Hungary. It has also experienced a shift towards cultural conservatism, with the government emphasizing traditional family values and a focus on preserving national identity and heritage.

Malta has leaned towards cultural conservatism during the period of the Fenech Adami administration. Lately we meet Georgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy. Italy, has a history of cultural conservatism, with certain political movements and parties advocating for the preservation of traditional cultural values and customs.

Political observers in Malta may stop and ask what are the main divergences between conservative and left-leaning factions at the next EU elections. Some of the main divergences may include:

1. Economic Policies: Conservative factions may prioritize economic liberalism, emphasizing free market principles, deregulation, and lower taxes. In contrast, left-leaning factions may advocate for more interventionist economic policies, such as increased regulation, progressive taxation, and support for social welfare programs.

2. Social Welfare: Left-leaning factions are likely to prioritize social welfare policies, including healthcare, education, and social safety nets, with an emphasis on reducing income inequality and providing support for vulnerable populations. Conservative factions may focus on promoting individual responsibility and private sector solutions for social welfare.

3. Environmental Protection: Left-leaning factions are expected to prioritize environmental protection and climate action, advocating for policies to address climate change, promote renewable energy, and protect natural resources. Conservative factions may prioritize economic considerations and may be more cautious about the extent of environmental regulations.

4. Immigration and Multiculturalism: Conservative factions may emphasize national sovereignty, border security, and cultural conservatism, with a focus on controlling immigration and preserving traditional cultural values. Left-leaning factions may prioritize inclusivity, with an emphasis on human rights and diversity.

5. Governance and Democracy: Left-leaning factions may advocate for inclusive governance, democratic reforms, and social justice, with a focus on addressing systemic inequalities and promoting participatory democracy. Conservative factions may prioritize national sovereignty, law and order, and traditional governance structures.

The above five categories may not be exhaustive but a voter in Malta had better inform his/her opinion how to vote. There are significant divergences which reflect the broader ideological differences between conservative and left-leaning factions such as the issue of tackling climate change and achieving net zero emissions.

In Malta one of the socialist government’s top priorities was to stop generating electricity using cheap fuel oil and instead to support Electrogas (a private company to which it issued a €350 million bank guarantee) to generate 200 Mwatt supply of electricity using LNG exclusively through the services of a floating gas tanker.

There was no national policy to invest in upstreaming for oil in EEZ waters. Other key differences in approach include regulatory measures.

A left-wing party may prioritize more stringent regulatory measures to enforce emissions reductions. Conservative factions may be more cautious about the extent of regulatory intervention, emphasizing market-based solutions and voluntary measures to reduce emissions.

Conservative parties may prioritize private sector investment and market-driven solutions, emphasizing the role of innovation and technology in addressing climate change. A Conservative approach may focus on minimizing economic disruptions and may be more cautious about the potential impacts on certain industries and sectors.

As a general rule, governments of both ideologies are likely to emphasize the importance of international cooperation and multilateral agreements to address climate change, such as supporting the Paris Agreement and advocating for global climate action.

These policy divergences reflect the broader ideological differences between conservative and left-wing factions in their approaches to addressing climate change, reduce national debt, fight inflation, tackle cost of living increases, attract FDI, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The specific policy proposals and legislative initiatives put forward by individual parties and movements within these factions will further disclose particular divergences in approach.

One may also ask what are the typical ideologies of Socialist governments in Europe. As mentioned earlier, such policies may include strong government intervention and weak migration frameworks to fuel population growth as a government policy so as to lower cost of production by licensing more low-skilled TNC’s.

On average one finds that left-leaning governments strive for environmental justice, ensuring that climate policies do not disproportionately affect low-income and marginalized communities and prioritize higher welfare benefits.

To conclude, voters at the next MEP elections need to examine closely manifestos issued by all factions in order to elect bonafide candidates who through their presence at the European Parliament, can improve our green infrastructure, renewable energy, introduce mass transportation, eliminate cronyism, provide security against future aggressors, lower the cost of living, and facilitate the arduous transition to net-zero.