A Surging Hard Right in Europe Stumbles Over Its Own Divisions
The European Union is facing a crisis of legitimacy, with the rise of populist, nationalist parties that are challenging the very foundations of the bloc. These parties, which have gained significant ground in recent years, are united by their opposition to immigration, their skepticism of globalization, and their rejection of the EU’s institutions and values.
However, despite their shared ideology, these parties are far from united. They are divided by a number of factors, including their differing levels of support, their varying degrees of extremism, and their competing visions for the future of Europe.
One of the most significant divisions within the hard right is between the more moderate and the more radical parties. The moderate parties, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), have gained significant ground in recent elections but have stopped short of advocating for outright authoritarianism or violence. They have focused on issues such as immigration, sovereignty, and economic nationalism, and have presented themselves as mainstream, respectable alternatives to the traditional parties.
The more radical parties, on the other hand, have no such qualms. These parties, such as the National Rally in France and the Sweden Democrats, have a history of extremism and have been accused of racism, xenophobia, and even fascism. They have advocated for the expulsion of immigrants, the closure of borders, and the dismantling of the EU.
Another division within the hard right is between the parties that are focused on domestic issues and those that are focused on foreign policy. The domestic-focused parties, such as the AfD and the FPÖ, have focused on issues such as immigration, welfare, and sovereignty, and have presented themselves as champions of the working class. The foreign policy-focused parties, such as the National Rally and the Sweden Democrats, have focused on issues such as NATO, the EU, and Russia, and have presented themselves as defenders of national sovereignty and traditional values.