Across the world there are people left behind by globalisation, and movements for withdrawing from global connection. – Mark Zuckerberg.

Many would have written off the prospect of The French National Front winning the French elections this year, if only the rise of anti-establishment parties weren’t a concern. It feels like the same rhetoric from last year has found its way into the new year, and what many had mistook as a bad hangover now find themselves getting used to something far more permanent.

If Donald Trump can win the Presidential election by repeating the same words over and over again, and Brexit can win on the assumption that “lots of money will be spent on the NHS instead”, a campaign promise that has been proven time and time again to be a fabricated saving, then Marine Le Pen most definitely could throw some spanners into the political works this year.

Emmanuel Macron is now the favourite to win the French elections this year, but fake news reports have tempted to derail his campaign and just like the US elections, could become a regular occurrence on this campaign trail.

Markets have every reason to be nervous this year, the mistakes of 2016 must not be repeated, the Eurozone faces a huge crisis if it loses further key members.

It would seem at first glance that the world is turning its back on globalisation, and if the EU wants to save its identity it may need to change its direction or face a potential collapse.