As for the elections over the weekend, the expected lurch to the far right has occurred. Democracy is like a drunkard stumbling home, it very rarely can follow a straight line. That said, there is still a strong center in the European Parliament.

This lurch to the right is basically a protest vote and will reverse some time in the future, when people realise the far right don't have any solutions either. It's like Brexit all over again. 
In Germany the groundswell behind the AfD is fuelled by the disaffected, namely eastern German states and also rural areas in Western Europe. Much like the States I guess. All the people who don't want to change, or at least don't want to feel forced to have to change. Denial sums it up quite nicely. Also supported by a lot of affluent voters who are scared of losing what they have. 

For Europe's climate goals it is a disaster.

The 2% defence investment guideline

In 2014, NATO Heads of State and Government agreed to commit 2% of their national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defence spending, to help ensure the Alliance's continued military readiness. This decision was taken in response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, and amid broader instability in the Middle East. The 2014 Defence Investment Pledge built on an earlier commitment to meet this 2% of GDP guideline, agreed in 2006 by NATO Defence Ministers. The 2% of GDP guideline is an important indicator of the political resolve of individual Allies to contribute to NATO’s common defence efforts. 
In 2024, two thirds of Allies are expected to meet or exceed the target of investing at least 2% of GDP in defence, compared to only three Allies in 2014. 

There are still deadbeat NATO members even though Trump decreased the number with his threats.  Before Trump it was less than half of the members honored their commitments.  Namely one third of the members as illustrated above.

Here's something recent which states that currently only 35% of NATO members are making that 2% commitment in contrast to NATO's own statements above.

Only 35% of NATO Countries Meet the Group’s Defense Spending Target

Controversial comments by former President Donald Trump turned attention to the alliance. Here's which member countries are meeting a defense spending benchmark.

By Elliott Davis Jr.
March 7, 2024, at 3:55 p.m.