Can free Interrail passes stem the tide of populism in the EU? | Focus on Europe

Thousands of young EU citizens are traveling across Europe on free Interrail passes. They’re paid for by European Commission subsidies to remind young people of the benefits of a unified EU and to stem the tide of populism.

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[mangoldm]

It seems the most unifying force in Europe is English.

[RickP]

The EU is obsessed with alignment, conformity, homogeneity and the destruction of European cultural diversity. It is this ideology that has fuelled populism across the continent as people see their customs and traditions disappear and be replaced by an insipid form of globalism. I'm old enough to have seen the changes in Europe. Everything I saw when I visited France as a child which seemed peculiarly French appears to have disappeared - drinking from bowls rather than cups, the way meals were served, strong French coffee (just Americanized versions of Italian espresso based drinks now), pillows that were rolls, magical boulangeries with fresh croissants, yellow headlamps on cars etc. Will a few rail cards stop populism? No. European travel didn't stop people voting for Brexit, if anything it may have provided impetus as the majority of the demographic of leavers holiday in the very areas most devastated by the Euro crisis - Greece, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal.

[elizabethcoopersoutham]

what a great idea ! open up communications and cultural understanding !

[asnowman]

*What is feeding populism*
Jobs pressure, mass migration, culture war, mistrust of media, mistrust of politicians.

"Free travel" is really just playing to those already pro EU ie the students. Those who aren't happy are the people who don't fit the "global citizen build" free travel isn't going to matter much to them, Some might even view it as money being taxed from them to benefit the already privileged.

[andersonsantucci]

Italy wait for me, next I will go there, greetings from Brazil

[rockcrusher]

The short answer is no.
Sorry, Merkel.

[Bill-zpmt]

That's a copyright song, is it not?

[MichaeldeSousaCruz]

Unleash the power of the Euro!! Treat it like a sovereign currency! Spend spend spend and then Europe will be a major power. Stop the austerity, it’s just holding you all back
#LearnMMT

[pt]

I choose Nationalism over Globalism any day. Populism is power to the people, a good thing. People power, not power from Elitists.