LettersUS Vice-President J.D. Vance offered Europe food for thought

In Portugal, I have observed the rise of the far-right party Chega, which increased its share of the vote from 1.3 per cent in 2019, its founding year, to around 18 per cent in the 2024 legislative elections, making it the third-largest party in the assembly. While I do not align with Chega’s ideals, its gains raise a critical question: is it wise for the ruling party, which I support, to ignore the views of nearly one-fifth of the electorate?

If the government can hardly address the pressing issues facing the country, such as inflation and economic sluggishness, in the short term, it should bring everyone on board, or risking boosting far-right sentiments.

I am an immigrant myself, but I recognise that many newcomers have poured into Europe, including Portugal. They often take on jobs that locals are unwilling to fill, yet they also compete for employment opportunities locals want, just like I did. And integration has not been seamless, leading to growing resentment against immigration that threatens social cohesion.

In countries like France, we see escalating tensions between ethnic communities. This calls into question the effectiveness of policies like former German chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door approach during the 2015 refugee crisis.

Despite challenges, Europe remains a bastion of liberal values. However, it faces the risk of becoming mired in excessive regulation, which stifles innovation and adaptability. While Vance himself acknowledged that the US is not a shining example, can Europe take constructive criticism from abroad?