Elections for the European Parliament taking place May 23-26 are setting up to be exceptionally important given the rise of populist and nationalist forces that threaten Europe’s long-standing centrist status quo. Some even see this election as a crucial moment in deciding the future of the European Union. Allison Nathan from Goldman Sachs Research talks to experts about the potential implications of this important election in this episode of Top of Mind. José Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission and Chairman of Goldman Sachs International, gives firsthand insight on the large and growing relevance of the European Parliament. Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, provides his view on how a possible realignment in power at both the European and national levels could disrupt everything from EU leadership appointments, to trade deals, to the EU’s budget— not to mention implications for fiscal policy in member countries, among other policy areas. 

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