EU's Rehn Says Voter Backlash Down to High Unemployment

The rise in voter support for protest parties in the European Union can be attributed to high unemployment and economic malaise, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said.

Bolstering economic growth across the 28-nation bloc must now be a priority to counter the surge in backing for anti-EU parties or groups opposed to immigration or austerity in countries from France to Greece, Rehn said today in an interview in Brussels.