Europe's Far-Right: Germany, Ukraine, and an International Neo-Fascist Conference
Last June's EU elections, Germany's snap elections and an international Neo-fascist conference in Ukraine mark a shift in the global rise of fascism.
The contentious German elections are over, and one statement was clear: the far-right is growing. What was not a surprise for many people was the growth in the Alternative for Germany (AfD). In previous elections, the AfD went from zero seats in the Bundestag, the federal parliament (think Congress), to now being the second-largest party in the chamber. Exit polls show that the AfD received about 20% of the vote, and the largest support came from states in former East Germany. The Alternative for Germany was founded by former Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) members as an alternative to center-right politics. Early policy agenda centered on liberal economics, social conservatism, and some Euroscepticism. However, since 2015, the party has moved further right, in particular on the issue of immigration and Islam.
Although the CDU/CSU has formed a coalition with the SPD, a center-left party in Germany, it still leaves a gap in votes for their constitutional threshold of two-thirds majority. A dilemma may arise, and the three-party coalition will have to be strategic if they do not want to court the AfD or Die Linke, the democratic socialist party.
Remember 2024 EU Elections
The rise of the AfD in Germany cannot be removed from the larger rise of the far-right in greater Europe. In June of last year, the European Union held its elections, and what was no shock to many was the rise in the far-right. Since the foundation of the European Union in 1992, this will be the first time the far-right will hold a quarter of the seats in the European Parliament. Patriots for Europe (PfE) is now the third-largest political party in the European Union.
Neo-Fascist Conference
In the backdrop of the summer European Union elections was a more orchestrated event bringing together white supremacists and neo-fascists in Lviv, Ukraine. The event was almost reminiscent of its 1940s period when the Banderites of western Ukraine collaborated with Nazis in World War II, and now in less than two generations, their descendants are continuing the legacy. The international fascist conference included representatives from at least nine other countries: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, and Slovakia. Over a dozen neo-fascist paramilitaries attended the conference to share strategies, discuss tactics, and plan for the future they are building.