European Left Parties against the rise of extreme right

Author: Giulia Semeghini


The time in which the speeches of the Nazi and Fascist parties were given publicly or in parliaments is historically far. However, more and more often it is now possible to hear some ideas that have very much in common to the ones declared during that time, even in some parliamentary events.

In fact, as recently shown by the rise of Marine Le Pen and the National Front in France, political parties belonging to the extreme right are experiencing a new period of growth by gaining ground on the fears and problems emerging in Europe from the ongoing refugee crisis and the latest terrorist attacks.

A confirmation of this trend can be found also in the fact that after the European elections in 2014, 9 parties affiliated to extreme right have found a seat in the European Parliament. Among them, there are the Nation Democratic Party (Germany), the Golden Dawn (Greece), the Finns Party (Finland), the Danish People's Party, the Party for Freedom (Netherlands), Jobbik (Hungary), the Freedom Party of Austria, Lega Nord (Italy) and, of course, the National Front (France).

In view of this considerations, on the 8th of December 2015 the Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) organized a conference to discuss about possible strategies against the rise of extreme right in Europe. The conference was held at the European Parliament and various politics and representatives of European left parties and other organizations were invited to come up with new ideas and propositions on the topic.