But once you look at some of the things that the kickers want to introduce, the picture is less reassuring. Protectionism and nationalism threaten the foundations of free-market economics. The single market is already under attack from several governments, as is the notion of admitting Turkey to the club. Attacks on immigration and minorities slide too easily into xenophobia, racism and homophobia. Extremist parties across Europe must be resisted because they are a danger not just to the EU but to basic civil liberties.

And is it so helpful to smash the institutions of the EU? Bodies such as the European Commission and the European Central Bank do not have the longevity or legitimacy that attach to their national counterparts. Yet some parts of the commission have been the doughtiest fighters for both free trade and enlargement. The ECB is one of Europe's successes: as our special report in this issue argues, the euro has proved a haven in the economic crisis-so much so that no country seriously wants to leave it and plenty want to join. But the ECB was recently attacked by Mrs Merkel, supposedly the guardian of its independence. If European institutions operate without firm political support, it is fanciful to hope that they will remain strong enough to take sometimes unpopular decisions. And many of the causes that may suffer will be liberal ones.

It is not hard to see why so many Europeans chose to boycott these elections. But they may come to regret that choice.

... contd.