Alexis Papachelas
Donald Trump, whether we like it or not, isn’t entirely wrong. European leaders are often timid, indecisive, and lacking backbone. Many come straight out of the same “recipe book,” trained to be conventional, proper, and careful. But this is not the moment for such leaders. The world has become a wild, rule-free jungle. On top of that, America now has a leader who admires Putin, Erdogan, and other strongmen, while openly scorning politicians like Macron and Merz.
Classic European democracies simply cannot produce leaders with that kind of force or authoritarian streak. By nature, their leaders are hemmed in by political compromises and institutional constraints. Add the slow-moving bureaucracy of Brussels, and any bold or risky initiative is effectively blocked. Europe talks, talks, and talks, while the world around it changes, and opportunities slip away. Trump may insult it in the crudest terms, but Europe keeps slumbering, confident in its own righteousness.
Brexit made things even worse. The British brought practical solutions and clear thinking, even when it clashed with Brussels’ ambition. Let’s not forget that the creation of the single internal market, arguably the most transformative decision for modern Europe, was driven by Margaret Thatcher. Agree or disagree with her politics, she was decisive and unafraid to push through her vision. So why doesn’t Europe produce leaders like that anymore? Perhaps the most talented young people are fleeing to the private sector, chasing wealth and avoiding the toxicity of public life.
Today, Europe is essentially leaderless. Its politicians are stuck trying to persuade Trump to change his mind on Moscow while praying that America will return to “normal.” He mocks them, and they look like well-behaved children in a violent neighborhood, hoping the playground bully will eventually move on. History stares them down, demanding accountability. Instead, they meet, talk, and organize conferences that increasingly feel like gatherings of the desperate.
*Read the Greek version here.
