Janek Mäggi: Europe Is in Danger. A Battle on Two Fronts for Survival

• In Estonia, it seemed that the price of a single vote skyrocketed.
• One front is the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
• The other front is the intensifying migration from Asia and Africa.

Europe’s new leaders must be able to win at least two wars, and in both cases, Europe is in a precarious position due to past political choices, writes Janek Mäggi (KE).

37.7 percent of Estonian voters expressed which people and ideas they favored the most. Unfortunately, not everyone considered which ideas make the most sense – in today’s Estonia, these do not always align.

At the time of writing this commentary (at 9:20 PM), the polling stations have closed, decisions have been made, though the precise outcomes are still unknown. The first projections confirm a strong surge of the far-right.

Europe feels threatened. People are nervous and uncertain; businesses are retreating from front-line countries, insecurity and fear are driving people to flee, not only Ukrainians to unknown destinations, but also Estonians to places like Spain.

One front is the war between Ukraine and Russia, putting Europe’s arms industry to full use, and the other is the ever-growing migration from Asia and Africa, cornering liberal values – with attacks from the east by drones and missiles, and from the Mediterranean by boats and drowning refugees. Front-line states are not only Russia’s neighbors but also those of Asia and Africa. Italians feel abandoned as they rescue boat refugees.

Europe is indeed in danger. Europeans tried to create an everlasting, noble life on Earth, but life hasn’t become eternal; rather, the fertility rate of below 2.1 children per woman (which in some countries has fallen below one) suggests that in its current form, Europe is heading for extinction. Europe could turn into a “black continent” if these trends continue. There is no peace, no security, no unlimited growth in quality of life or prosperity. Everything is going downhill, and whoever dares to say so is the winner.

And It’s All Standing on My Shoulders!

In Estonia, it seemed that the price of a single vote skyrocketed. Wealthy political parties poured huge amounts of money to appeal to voters, media, and themselves, masking the lack of ideas on how to ease Europe’s critical situation with cheap entertainment and a hunger for fame. If voters see modern trends as essential and attractive, the circus will continue in full force in daily politics.

Europe’s new leaders must be able to win at least two wars, and in both cases, Europe is in a precarious position due to many past political choices that voters have likely deciphered. The United States is no longer the stable and guaranteed partner that will pay for all of Europe’s mistakes without a blink. China is not content with the role of a “little brother”; it wants a new partner, not its older brother’s leftovers.

The idea that winning elections and governing require two different people holds true based on projections this time as well. But ultimately, both Estonia and Europe are guided by public opinion, shaped by society as a whole. Even if the elected leader is as simple-minded as Winnie the Pooh, colleagues and the public will keep him on track. If Estonia and Europe are hardworking and industrious, there’s no need for panic.