The rise of fascism in Europe

Authoritarian populism, long associated with Latin American regimes, is generally considered a thing of the past in Europe. But this view is misleading. In the middle of a devastating economic crisis, citizens from completely different countries feel the needing of a “charismatic” leader to defend their rights in the respective parliaments. The hallmark of Latin American populism has historically been the election by wide majorities of presidents with authoritarian tendencies, who expand social rights even as they curtail political freedoms. On the other hand, Euro-populism generally targets immigrants and demands the disintegration of the European Union.

What does the rise of fascism mean for Europe?

GREECE

"The electoral take-off of Golden Dawn took Greece by surprise. In a few months it passed from insignificance to almost 7% of the national vote. This percentage was maintained at June elections, when the voters had been properly apprised of its neo-Nazi character. Their voters: from wealthy men to unemployed citizens and members of the security forces."

"Most worrying is the ease with which conservatives justify fascist actions. The recent violent attack by Ilias Kasidiaris, a Golden Dawn deputy, on two leftwing women deputies, broadcast live on national television, was hailed by many on the right, and proved a vote-winner. In conditions of social dislocation and economic freefall, this may have explosive consequences."

Spyros Marchetos (The Guardian).

 UKRANIE       

"The violence on the streets of Ukraine is far more than an expression of popular anger against a government.  Instead, it is merely the latest example of the rise of the most insidious form of fascism that Europe has seen since the fall of the Third Reich.

Recent months have seen regular protests by the Ukrainian political opposition against the president Yanukovich. The protests remained largely peaceful until January 17^th when protesters armed with clubs, helmets, and improvised bombs unleashed brutal violence on the police, storming government buildings, beating anyone suspected of pro-government sympathies, and generally wreaking havoc on the streets of Kiev.  But who are these violent extremists and what is their ideology?

The political formation is known as “Pravy Sektor” (Right Sector), which is essentially an umbrella organization for a number of ultra-nationalist (read fascist) right wing groups including supporters of the “Svoboda” (Freedom) Party, “Patriots of Ukraine”, “Ukrainian National Assembly – Ukrainian National Self Defense” (UNA-UNSO), and “Trizub”. 

All of these organizations share a common ideology that is vehemently anti-Russian, anti-immigrant, and anti-Jewish among other things.  In addition, they share a common reverence for the so called “Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists” led by Stepan Bandera, the infamous Nazi collaborators who actively fought against the Soviet Union and engaged in some of the worst atrocities committed by any side in World War II".

Eric Draitser (Global Research).

                                                                                                                                               

FRANCE                                                                  

Marine Le Pen is the woman who leads the National Front in France.  This political group has become the third most voted party in this country. This is an historic result for the extreme right.

      

Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Norway and Hungary are examples of the uncontrolled rise of fascist political groups who are being voted by unsatisfied citizens.

Should we be worried about these results? Europe is a community based on the cooperation, the neighborhood and the solidarity but, these values are very breakable when we talk about economic issues and the identity of a country.

Our vote is reflected in the results of the elections. We wish not to commit the same mistakes our antecessors did. Only following a democratic and respectful way, we will be able to build a new Europe.