Parliamentary elections in Germany and Austria: the reasons for the protest forces’ success

At the dawn of the 21st century, the European Union faced a whole series of new challenges. The EU is plagued by problems of the consequences of a deep social and economic crisis in the euro area, of increasing influx of immigrants and refugees from the countries of the East and Africa, the growing terrorist threat and the issues of Europeans self-identification, becoming more acute. All these factors determined not only the growth of protest moods among the population, but also the emergence and strengthening of parties that openly criticize the pan-European project and call for a review of the outcomes of integration. Ever growing Eurosceptic electorate wants to see their states sovereign in all spheres of public and state life. The author of the article presents data on the electoral cycle in Germany and Austria and analyzes the reasons for the successful performance of the protest parties, such as «Alternative for Germany» and the Freedom Party of Austria.