The EU is “sleepwalking into oblivion” and “will go the way of the Soviet Union” unless it wakes up to rise of anti-European sentiment, George Soros has warned.

The billionaire financier called on pro-EU political parties to “put Europe’s interests ahead of their own” and defend the bloc “from its enemies, both internal and external”.

Mr Soros, 88, highlighted the UK, Germany and Italy as member states where pro-European voices had been quietened in the face of vocal euroscepticism.

The Hungarian-born US citizen warned “anti-European forces will enjoy a competitive advantage” in May’s EU parliament elections, in which eurosceptic parties have been tipped to win enough seats to “paralyse” the bloc.

In an article for Project Syndicate, he called for “radical” reform of the EU’s political systems to secure its future.

The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Show all 7 1 /7 The far-right politicians winning power across Europe The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Viktor Orban – Hungary, Fidesz The Prime Minister of Hungary has threatened to shut down NGOs that help refugees; run a state backed hate campaign against George Soros and removed constitutional checks and balances. He said: 'We have replaced a shipwrecked liberal democracy with a 21st century Christian democracy' Reuters The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Matteo Salvini – Italy, Lega The leader of Italy’s junior governing party has pledged to deport 500,000 irregular migrants; stated joining the euro was a mistake and wants to end sanctions against Russia. He said: 'The only antidote to racism is to control, regulate and limit immigration' AFP/Getty The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Heinz-Christian Strache – Austria, FPO The deputy prime minister of Austria wants to drive Islam out of public life in Austria; has threatening mosque closures and wants to end sanctions against Russia. He said: 'Let us put an end to this policy of Islamisation as soon as possible' AFP/Getty The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Marine Le Pen – France, Front National The runner-up in the French presidential election wants policies to favour ‘native’ French; has stated she would hold an EU referendum and wants to deport irregular migrants. She said: 'I’m not offended when I hear President Donald Trump say "America first". In fact, I want America first for the American people, I want Britain first for the British people and I want France first for the French people' AP The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Janez Jansa – Slovenia, Slovenian Democratic Party The leader of Slovenia’s largest party says the country is run by a secretive former communist cabal; has appointed political allies to press agencies and was sent to prison for alleged corruption which was later overturned by the Constitutional Court. He said: 'Our party puts Slovenia, Slovenians first' Reuters The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Alexander Gauland – Germany, AfD The leader of the first far-right party in the Bundestag in decades says Islam is not a part of Germany; wants a ban on public Islamic symbols and wants to leave the euro. He said: 'A German or English football team hasn’t been German or English in the classical sense for a long time' Alamy The far-right politicians winning power across Europe Jarosław Kaczynski – Poland, Law and Justice The chairman of Poland’s governing party says migrants spread infectious diseases; wants to ban gay people from being teachers and has sought to implement constitutional changes to give government more power over courts. He said: 'It is absolutely clear a homosexual should not be a teacher' Kacper Pempel/Reuters

“Europe is sleepwalking into oblivion, and the people of Europe need to wake up before it is too late,” Mr Soros wrote. “If they don’t, the European Union will go the way of the Soviet Union in 1991.”

He added: “The first step to defending Europe from its enemies, both internal and external, is to recognise the magnitude of the threat they present.

“The second is to awaken the sleeping pro-European majority and mobilise it to defend the values on which the EU was founded. Otherwise, the dream of a united Europe could become the nightmare of the twenty-first century.”

The founder of the Open Society Foundation said the UK’s “antiquated party structure” prevented “the popular will finding proper expression”, and suggested party lines should be redrawn “between pro- and anti-European forces".

He claimed Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May were “so determined to deliver Brexit that they have agreed to cooperate to attain it”.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Mr Soros has previously backed calls to reverse the result of the Brexit referendum, donating £800,000 to the Best for Britain campaign.

The Jewish philanthropist’s support for liberal causes have led to him becoming the focus of right-wing conspiracy theories and antisemitic hate.