German port a battleground for EU's fragile political center

If Joachim Schuster is worried about his job, he's not letting on.

A jolly German in his mid-fifties with spiky greying hair and a broad smile, Schuster was elected to the European Parliament five years ago for the center-left Social Democrats. Now he's speaking to students at a vocational college in the northern city of Bremerhaven in an effort to save his seat, defying the downward trend that's beset traditional parties in Europe in recent years.

Support for the Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically across Germany in recent years, but nowhere is its fate more closely watched than in the city-state of Bremen, of which Bremerhaven is a part. The Social Democrats have dominated the proud port's political scene since the end of World War II, winning 19 straight elections and governing it for 73 years.

In this Thursday, May 16, 2019 photo, containers are stored in the free harbor in Bremerhaven, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

That run could end on May 26, when voters in Germany cast ballots for the European Parliament and those in Bremen also hold a state election.

A poor result in both elections could hasten the end of the Social Democrats' fractious coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Union bloc in Germany's national legislature and further reduce the center-left's overall influence on Europe's political landscape.

A new political grouping of nationalist and populist parties is trying to capitalize on voter discontent, vowing to upend the continent's traditional political power structure.

In this Tuesday, May 14, 2019 photo, a poster of SPD promotes the governing mayor of Bremen Carsten Sieling for the regional elections beside road works in the center of Bremen, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

"Establishment politics in Germany, but also in the EU, often haven't managed to really solve the issues the population believes are pressing," Schuster told The Associated Press.

The loss of tens of thousands of jobs in Bremen's shipyards — mirroring similar industrial declines in other parts of Europe — has also sapped the Social Democrats' traditional base, said Schuster.

Voters ruefully compared the region's current economic situation to its heyday in the 1970s.

In this Thursday, May 16, 2019 photo an empty run-down apartment house is cheap for sale or rent in Bremerhaven, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. The posters reads 'For rent' and 'For Sale'. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

"Lousy, really bad and getting worse all the time," retiree Eta Grotheer said, making her way down Bremerhaven's main shopping street. "The only thing we have left is the port, otherwise there's nothing."

While Grotheer had little good to say about Merkel and her center-right Christian Democratic Union, it's the 'reds' in Bremen who disappoint her the most.

"The Social Democrats used to be a good workers' party," she said. "Now there's nothing."

In this Tuesday, May 14, 2019 photo, the governing mayor of Bremen Carsten Sieling of the Social Democratic Party, SPD, talks during a meeting with union workers in Bremen, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Grotheer predicted that right-wing parties would benefit from voters' frustration.

If past elections are any indication, many voters in Germany could also stay away from the polls, harming large establishment parties like the Social Democrats.

"We had a terrible voter turnout at the last state elections," said Andreas Klee, a political scientist at the University of Bremen. "That's an incredibly bad sign for the mood in the country as far as democracy and citizens' trust in politics is concerned."

In this Thursday, May 16, 2019 photo citizen Eta Grotheer talks to the Associated Press about the forthcoming elections in Bremerhaven, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

According to Klee, the erosion of traditional party affiliations — which once saw entire families or streets vote the same way — means voters today are more inclined to shop around for a party that speaks directly to their concerns.

Voters worried about immigration and crime are drawn toward the nationalist Alternative for Germany party or Bremen's right-wing Citizens in Rage. Those concerned about climate change and air pollution head to the Greens, who have seen a remarkable rise in poll support in recent months.

The proportional representation in European electoral systems also gives smaller parties a realistic chance of entering parliament, unlike in the United States, where only two parties dominate.

In this Tuesday, May 14, 2019 photo, a man with a sign reading 'I am hungry' begs in front of a poster showing SPD candidate Joachim Schuster for the European Elections in the center of Bremen, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Last year's election in Italy offers a glimpse of what can happen if Europe's main centrist parties collapse. Italian voters angry about unemployment, corruption and immigration propelled the right-wing League party and the anti-establishment Five Star movement into a ruling populist coalition in the EU's fourth largest economy.

In France, the two dominant parties of the past decades likewise crumbled in 2017's presidential election amid a surge of support for far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. Ultimately, it took a relative newcomer, current President Emmanuel Macron, to unite mainstream voters behind a centrist movement. Polls for this week's European Parliament election put Macron's party neck-and-neck with Le Pen's far-right National Rally.

Projections released by the European Parliament this month show the center-right European People's Party bloc, which includes Merkel's Union, losing 37 of its 217 seats in the 751-seat assembly. The center-left S&D group, which includes Germany's Social Democrats, is forecast to drop from 186 seats to 149.

In this Thursday, May 16, 2019 photo, top candidate for the European Elections Joachim Schuster of the Social Democratic Party, SPD, talks to The Associated Press in Bremerhaven, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Schuster believes a more radical approach might help the Social Democrats win back voters.

"Everywhere that social justice is moved into greater focus and linked to perspectives for the whole country, we are relatively successful," he said, citing Portugal and Spain, where the center-left remains the dominant political force.

The prospect of losing its bastion in Bremen is causing jitters among senior Social Democrats in the capital. The party's top brass is traveling to the city on Friday for a final rally ahead of the European and state elections.

The yacht harbor in Bremerhaven, Germany, is pictured on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Speaking after a town hall meeting with workers' representatives, Bremen mayor and governor Carsten Sieling tried to downplay the possibility that the Social Democrats might face a major election upset this week which could send shockwaves across Europe. He pointed to the city's recent drop in unemployment — still high by German standards — and improved public finances.

Winning Bremen and getting a decent result in the European election might give the party "the stability we need," he said.

Samuel Petrequin in Paris and Barry Hatton in Lisbon contributed to this report.

In this Thursday, May 16, 2019 photo a worker walks beside ship's screws at a dockyard at the harbor in Bremerhaven, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

For more news from The Associated Press on the European Parliament elections, go to https://www.apnews.com/EuropeanParliament

In this Tuesday, May 14, 2019 photo, the historic town hall shines in the evening sun in Bremen, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

In this Tuesday, May 14, 2019 photo a bronze statue depicting the Bremen Town Musicians located in Bremen, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Thursday, May 16, 2019 photo, cars for import and export park in the free harbour in Bremerhaven, Germany. The city became a battleground for EU's fragile political center, support for Germany's Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically in recent years, but nowhere is their fate more closely watched than in the tiny city-state of Bremen. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron warned Thursday that Europe could “die” if it fails to build its own robust defense as Russia’s war in Ukraine rages on, or if it fails to undertake major trade and economic reforms to compete with China and the U.S.

Macron urged Europeans to become more ambitious in a fast-changing world to face the challenges of war, fierce trade competition, energy scarcity, climate change and increasing authoritarianism.

In a nearly two-hour speech at Sorbonne University in Paris, Macron said that the continent is divided and “too slow and lacks ambition” at a time when the 27-member European Union needs to become a superpower, defend its own borders and speak with one voice if it wants to survive and thrive.

“Our Europe today is mortal,” Macron said. “It can die and that depends solely on our choices,” he added. He called on people to make those choices now because, “it’s today that Europe is between war and peace.”

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, is an existential threat and Europe isn't armed enough to defend itself when “confronted by a power like Russia that has no inhibitions, no limits,” Macron said.

‘Our ability to ensure our security is at stake," Macron said. “Russia mustn’t be allowed to win.”

Europe now has the “good fortune” of having the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, Macron said. But, in a year of key elections around Europe, in the U.S. and elsewhere, support may fragment or disappear entirely, he added.

“Europe must become capable of defending its interests, with its allies by our side whenever they are willing, and alone if necessary,” Macron said.

Strong armies, a European rapid intervention program and force, tanks, a missile shield and other weapons, produced in Europe, will need the support of “a joint diplomatic force that will speak with one voice and build bridges with Africa and Latin America,” the French leader said.

“Only then will Europe show that it's not a United States’ lap dog, and that it also knows how to talk to other regions of the world,” he said.

France has been a firm supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, and Macron has often clashed with other Western leaders as he has insisted that Europe must stand by the country at any cost. The French president alarmed European leaders by saying recently that sending Western troops into Ukraine to shore up its defenses shouldn’t be ruled out.

Referring to trade practices of China and the U.S., Macron said “the two world powers have decided not to respect the rules of global trade” by shoring up protections and subsides while Europe’s industry remains open and is stuck in overregulation.

“Let’s do the same, we are in competition,” Macron said.

“We must buy faster, we must produce more and we must buy more that is made in Europe. That is key,” Macron said.

Thursday's speech came less than two months before a pivotal European Parliament election.

Macron, an avid advocate of a united and assertive Europe, also rallied support for his centrist Renaissance party before the June 6-9 vote as far-right parties lead the moderate coalitions in the polls. He called for safeguarding democratic values as the “authoritarian model” was becoming “more popular” across the continent.

The war in Ukraine and immigration are top priorities for European Union voters, according to polls. Far-right parties have gained support by criticizing Macron’s government policies on both issues. Macron acknowledged divisions on immigration policies, including on asylum and deportation rules for those who have arrived to Europe illegally.

He emphasized the need for an effective response and Europe-wide coordination for curbing illegal immigration, closer cooperation with immigrants' countries of origin and a unified, relentless fight against human traffickers.

Macron criticized the idea of striking an agreement, as Britain as done, with countries in Africa and elsewhere to transfer immigrants there.

“This is a betrayal of our values that ultimately leads us to dependency on other counties,” Macron said.

The British government earlier this week approved a law allowing the deportation of some migrants who enter the country illegally to Rwanda.

Macron lost his majority in France’s most influential house of parliament, the National Assembly, after the 2022 election to the far-left coalition and the far-right National Rally party.

The social situation in France remains tense as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games this summer, amid protests from teachers and police officers, and farmer demonstrations in recent weeks. The protests follow huge rallies last year against Macron’s ultimately successful proposal to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Barbara Surk reported from Nice, France. Lorne Cook contributed to this report from Brussels.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to deliver a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, April 18, 2024. European Union leaders on Wednesday debated a new "European Competitiveness Deal" aimed at helping the 27-nation bloc close the gap with Chinese and American rivals amid fears the region's industries will otherwise be left behind for good. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)