Far Right's Brussels Plan: Doing the Work of Xi, Putin and Trump 2026

The far right's plans for Brussels are no longer a fringe fantasy; they are now central to the political programmes of parties leading polls in France and Germany. Marine Le Pen and Alice Weidel have outlined visions of a "Europe of nations" that would strip EU institutions of cash and power, effectively doing the work of Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Following the 2016 Brexit referendum, Le Pen celebrated the UK's vote as the first breach in the "Brussels Wall". But as Britain's self-inflicted economic wounds became a cautionary tale, Frexit was put on ice. Instead, Le Pen now hopes to lead far-right allies in hollowing out the EU from within.

What Le Pen and Weidel Are Proposing

This month, both Le Pen and Weidel outlined their visions for Europe. Weidel's "new deal for Europe" would abolish elections to the European parliament and seek German opt-outs in areas such as migration, defence and common borrowing. Le Pen's National Rally proposes slashing French contributions to the EU budget by 60% over a five-year presidential term and ending Brussels' role in proposing common policies for the 27 member states.

Similar ideas have long circulated in far-right thinktanks. But they are now in the programmes of parties that lead the polls in France and Germany – Europe's historic engines of integration. Weidel has targeted 2029, when the next German election is due, as a key moment.

Why This Matters for the EU

The far right's plans would fundamentally weaken the EU's ability to act collectively. By cutting budgets and removing Brussels' policy-making role, they would leave member states competing rather than cooperating. This plays directly into the hands of external powers who prefer a divided Europe.

Xi, Putin and Trump have all shown interest in a fragmented EU. A weaker Brussels means less resistance to Chinese trade practices, Russian aggression and American unilateralism. The far right's proposals, whether intentional or not, align with these interests.

Who Is Affected

Every EU citizen would feel the impact. Reduced budgets mean fewer funds for regional development, research and climate action. Ending common policies could unravel the single market and complicate cross-border travel and trade. Migrant and minority communities would be particularly vulnerable as national governments gain more control over migration and defence.

Businesses that rely on EU-wide regulations and funding would face uncertainty. The EU's role as a global standard-setter on tech, environment and human rights would diminish.

What to Watch Next

The next German election in 2029 is a critical milestone. If Weidel's party maintains its lead, her proposals could become government policy. In France, Le Pen's presidential ambitions remain central, though legal challenges persist.

EU elections in 2024 will also test the far right's strength. A strong showing could embolden these parties to push for institutional changes from within the European parliament. Watch for alliances between national far-right parties and their influence on EU budget negotiations.

• Le Pen and Weidel propose a "Europe of nations" that strips EU institutions of power and cash.
• Weidel wants to abolish European parliament elections and seek German opt-outs.
• Le Pen plans to cut French EU contributions by 60% and end Brussels' policy role.
• These plans align with the interests of Xi, Putin and Trump in a divided Europe.
• Key moments: 2024 EU elections and Germany's 2029 election.

Comparing the Far-Right Visions

The far right's plans for Brussels are a direct challenge to the EU's founding principles. They exploit economic anxieties and nationalistic sentiment, but their implementation would leave Europe weaker and more divided. As the Guardian view notes, this is doing the work of Xi, Putin and Trump. The background to this story is set out in Marine Le Pen Gains From France's Violence and Chaos. A related thread runs through Marine Le Pen Resurrected: A Bigger Threat in French Election. Earlier coverage in Far Right Normalisation in Germany Threatens Democracy shows how the argument developed.

For those following the broader cultural conversation around slowing down and rejecting constant productivity, the slow September movement offers a counterpoint to the far right's aggressive nationalism. Embracing life more by doing less might seem apolitical, but it reflects a desire for stability that the far right exploits. A closer look at the same subject appears in French Left Division Boosts Marine Le Pen's Presidential Path. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Swedish Muslims Challenge Far Right Ahead of Election. The same theme surfaces in Sweden's Far Right Normalization: A Decade of Change, which takes a different angle.

Meanwhile, the intersection of politics and media continues to blur. RFK Jr's cooking show raises questions about who is really doing their job in public life, a theme that resonates as far-right leaders craft policies that undermine democratic institutions. Context on how this played out before sits in Far Right Politics of Powerlessness: Real Weapon Explained. A companion piece, Far-Right Republican Accused of Stiffing Student $8,000, approaches the same subject from another angle.