pillar of sth, populist forces

Populists’ Advance in Germany Jolts Europe  The populist forces sweeping Europe shook its pillar of stability this weekend, as a stinging defeat for Angela Merkel’s conservatives in Germany signaled more political upheaval across the continent.

Japanese electronics giant Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. has delivered strong earnings in recent years. Now, cracks are emerging in one of those pillars of growth: plasma televisions.


pillar
noun [C]
1 a strong column made of stone, metal or wood which supports part of a building:
A row of reinforced concrete pillars supports the bridge.
FIGURATIVE a pillar of smoke/flame


A person or thing regarded as reliably providing essential support for something.

‘he was a pillar of his local community’

2 pillar of sth a very important member or part of a group, organization, system, etc:
Mrs Maple is a pillar of the local church.
Equality is one of the pillars of socialism.