Passing the political football: why elections loom large over the Euros

On the face of it, this year’s European Championships looked to be the perfect antidote for the endless controversy clouding the previous two World Cups in Qatar and Russia. Still, politics and football are never too far apart in Europe, not least in the current climate. With the spectre of Russia looming over Eastern Europe, a far-right surge in the West, and of election campaigns in full swing, let’s take a look at the major crossover storylines developing in this tournament so far.?

In the weeks preceding Germany’s curtain-raising win over Scotland, the host country has been embroiled in soul-searching over its future, with the national team caught in the crosshairs. Modern German nationalism, a touchy subject for obvious reasons, peaked during the 2006 World Cup, the first time the German flag could be proudly waved without stigma. Since then, however, the far-right has risen, culminating in the AfD’s record performance in the European Parliament elections, leading to the flag's reassociation with a more exclusionary form of nationalism. Much has been made of the flag’s conspicuous absence at this year’s tournament. Tensions flared further with a national poll revealing one in five Germans prefer more white players on the team. To make matters worse, Adidas had to ban fans from buying German kits with the number 44, due to its resemblance to the Nazi SS symbol. Amidst this noise, the German team has remained united against division, representing a modern Germany with stars of African origin like Jamal Musiala and Antonio Rudiger embodying Merkel’s vision for a diverse and inclusive nation. Despite trying to downplay their wider importance, this team feels poised to reunite a fractured nation.

Neighbours France have similarly kicked off their Euros campaign amid a tense political climate, as Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, fresh from a sweeping victory in the European elections, surged in the national polls, prompting President Macron to call a surprise snap election. Global icon and captain of the French team, Kylian Mbappe, has used his status to call out the rise of ‘divisive ideas’ and extremism in French politics, urging young people to mobilise their voting power come election day. Macron, whose close relationship with Mbappe is a story in and of itself, has aligned himself closely with this current crop of French players, even consoling the team in their changing room following their 2022 World Cup Final loss. Le Pen on the other hand inherits a legacy from her father, who was publicly criticised two decades ago by another French superstar of immigrant descent in Zinedine Zidane for his comments that France’s diverse team no longer connected with the people. With the election to be held during the knockout stages of the tournament and the final, Macron & Mbappe will be hoping for France to lift the trophy following the defeat of the far-right and a reaffirmation of what France represents. After all, the final, fittingly, falls on July 14th: Bastille Day.

Much as the French and German national teams have taken up the fight against the far-right, teams from Eastern Europe have become symbols of resistance to growing Russian interference. It was heartening to see the Ukraine team walk out to their national anthem for their first appearance at an international tournament since Russia began their invasion. Since the war broke out over two years ago, the national team has the full backing of the people and has become a vital symbol of an independent, sovereign Ukraine on the world stage. The situation in Georgia, a nation right on the borders of Europe and firmly within Russia’s sphere of influence, is a little more complicated.? With a government that is increasingly pro-Russian in its sentiment, the Georgian national team has been steadfast in its commitment to European values, with many of the players coming out strongly in opposition to the highly controversial ‘Russian Law’ which sparked huge protests earlier this year. The buildup to the tournament has seen politicians accuse star player Kvicha Kvaratschelia of courting violence and even threatening civil war for his condemnation of the bill. With a population strongly in favour of joining the EU and fervently behind their team as they make the Euros debut, it will be intriguing to see how the government looks to play down divisions.?

Of course, no article around politics and football is complete without a quick look at the Balkans. Serbia, a nation increasingly isolated within Europe for its pro-Russian stance, has received attention for the number of Russian flags on display during their opening game loss against England. The modern Serbia-Russia relationship has its roots in Russia’s support of Serbia in their opposition to Kosovan independence in the 1990s, now reciprocated by Serbia’s refusal to engage in sanctions against Ukraine with the rest of Europe.?

With all of these storylines occurring across the mainland and an election of our own going on, England’s campaign so far has been conspicuous for its lack of controversy. Besides a brief meltdown over the colour of a miniscule England flag printed on the back of the shirt, both Starmer and Sunak have wheeled out the usual PR-mandated cheering of England (and Scotland), but perhaps we can be thankful that the inherent dullness of both candidates, and Farage’s preference for cricket, has saved this year’s team from being associated with much political debate as things kick off.?

As these Euros unfold, it's clear that football remains inextricably linked with the political pulse of the continent. From Germany's struggle to redefine its national identity to France's battle against the far-right and Eastern Europe's stand against Russian influence, the beautiful game continues to serve as a mirror to broader societal concerns. There is then a certain irony in England's relative calm. Perhaps this reflects a deeper desire for an escape from political drama—an unspoken wish for football to remain, just this once, simply about the sport.