EU liberals are cracking down on American right-wing movement! They are anxious following Trump’s victory and fear a US-like right-wing wave that could erode their political influence.
Make no mistake, many people across Europe are annoyed with their politicians and are increasingly supporting right-wing parties. Some of the main issues for these voters include dissatisfaction with the current political system, high living costs, worries about immigration, and economic problems.
In response, European political leaders are now taking stronger actions to try and limit the influence of these right-wing groups.
In Germany, a major effort is underway to potentially ban the far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD is known for its strong anti-immigration stance and voicing opposition to the European Union. Many German politicians see the AfD as a threat to democratic values and worry that the party is promoting extreme right-wing ideas. Over 100 lawmakers from different political groups in the German parliament, have signed a proposal asking Germany’s Constitutional Court to consider banning the AfD.
Leading the charge for this proposal is Marco Wanderwitz, a member of Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU), which is the largest opposition party. Wanderwitz has received support from 113 other Bundestag members who believe that the AfD’s actions go against the German constitution. They argue that the AfD is acting in a way that could harm democratic principles, and they are citing Article 21 of the German Basic Law (the country’s constitution) to make their case.
The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has already placed the AfD under surveillance, listing it as a party with suspected ties to right-wing extremism. This designation has heightened the urgency of considering a ban on the AfD, especially since Germany’s coalition government recently fell apart. With an early election coming up next year, politicians pushing for this ban hope to address the matter as quickly as possible.
Over in France, the right-wing movement is also facing major legal challenges. Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), could be banned from running in the next presidential election due to a legal case against her. A Paris prosecutor is asking the court to sentence Le Pen to five years in prison and ban her from holding public office for five years. Le Pen, along with several other people, is accused of misusing EU funds. This case has been under investigation for nearly a decade, and it has serious implications for Le Pen’s future in politics.
If the court decides to go forward with the prosecutor’s request, the ruling could immediately prevent Le Pen from running in the upcoming presidential election, even if she appeals the decision. This ban would be a significant setback for the National Rally, which has been trying to change its image to attract more mainstream voters in France. Le Pen is a popular figure among French right-wing supporters, and she has already come close to winning the presidency in previous elections. Without her, the National Rally’s chances of winning could be seriously affected.
European leaders are taking strong steps to push back against the rise of right-wing politics in their countries. So-called European democracies, the champions of the free speech, are now killing right-wing voices to shield their political empire. The question is: Will they succeed?