The rise of Extremism in Economically tough times

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

In France...

Miss Le Pen's Front National will increase its number of MEPs from three to 24 in an earthquake for French and eurozone politics.

In Denmark...

the far-Right Danish People's Party beat the Social Democrats led by the countryﾒs prime minister Helle Thorning-!!!!!!!, .

In Germany...

a new anti-euro party, Alternative fuer Deutschland, looked set to take seven seats in an historic first for a country where opposition to the EU was once a political taboo.

In Greece....

The extreme-right Golden Dawn party garnered between 10 and 13 per cent of the vote in European elections, exit polls indicated, despite an ongoing criminal investigation that has put several of its leading members in pre-trial detention.

It the vote means the neo-Nazi party would win three to four seats in the European Parliament.

Marking the high political price Greece has paid for the eurozone crisis, Golden Dawn beat the centrist Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) into fourth place.

"The results show that people voted to punish the politicians of the status-quo," said George Tzogopoulos of Greek think tank Eliamep

"It is extremely dangerous to see power handed to fascist organisation. I have no doubt that the majority of people who voted for Golden Dawn did so, not because they supported the neo-Nazi ideology of the party but because they are feeling the pain after years of economic crisis and want to express their anger."

And in the UK....

The UK Independence Party has won a national election for the first time, taking the most votes and seats in the European Parliament elections.

The Ukip victory came as anti-establishment parties advanced across the European Union, with the racist National Front winning in France.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/10855972/Ukip-storms-European-elections.html

Just goes to show how extraordinarily dangerous it can be to allow economic turmoil to get out of hand.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the political response in the UK and Europe to the global financial crisis was wholly inadequate, and far too little too late...

Carl31

It's a tad worrying. Some of the views I hear that support these right wing views are so misinformed though. People always need something to blame

Could this be the end of the EU though? Certainly seems like a lot of Europe has had enough of it

TickersPlaysPop

We need to consider "none of the above" on the ballot paper.

It is an option not connected to a political party, and a chance for people to protest without risking extreme parties gaining power.

For the Euro election and General election, and even local elections, it could help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/None_of_the_above

vivatifosi

The other side of the coin is that a quarter of the vote in Italy went to a left wing anti Europe, anti establishment, anti austerity party. I think they are also anti immigration.

Similarly in Greece, in addition to Golden Dawn, a left wing, anti establishment, anti austerity, anti EU party scored a lot of votes.

Both the far left and right did well.

I think the far right also won seats in Austria.

In terms of the Danes, they are more moderate (relatively speaking) that the others and have been invited to join the same group as the Conservatives.

One bit of good news, the odious Nick Griffin and his colleague lost their BNP seats.

It looks as though the EU parliament is going to be very fractious and difficult to run. The centrists still hold the majority though.

In economic terms, it will be interesting to see the impact on the euro, with so many calling for a return to their old currencies.

GeorgeHowell

Anti EU sentiment is not extremist. By the standards of modern western democracy it's the EU that's extremist with it's autocratic, centralised, unaccountable modus operandus. People will vote fir fringe parties when nobody else is listening. That doesn't mean they're extremists.

IronWolf

I think people in general have had enough of the EU.

Devon_Sailor

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

Anti EU sentiment is not extremist. By the standards of modern western democracy it's the EU that's extremist with it's autocratic, centralised, unaccountable modus operandus. People will vote fir fringe parties when nobody else is listening. That doesn't mean they're extremists.

I quite agree. The fact that in economically tough times, where cuts are being made in most areas of public spending, groups opposed to handing over £54 million a day to the EU are quite naturally garnering lots of votes.


I think Greece is the exception to those listed in Hamish's opening post though; most of the right leaning parties are more concerned about domestic control and sovereignty issues; the far Left Greek party is just anti-austerity and actually wants the EU's money taps turned back on!

vivatifosi

I would not classify UKIP as extremist George, even if I don't like them and wouldn't vote for them. However Golden Dawn and Front National I absolutely would and they are part of the same lurch away from the centre.

In this country, I'd consider the EDL and BNP as extremist.

Running_Horse

People who voted UKIP knew exactly what they were doing. They are not morons or swivel eyed loons. To misrepresent them as such is an act of stupidity and gross arrogance from a political class totally out of touch.

BTW I am generally pro EU.

vivatifosi

Running_Horse wrote: »

People who voted UKIP knew exactly what they were doing. They are not morons or swivel eyed loons. To misrepresent them as such is an act of stupidity and gross arrogance from a political class totally out of touch.

BTW I am generally pro EU.

I agree. It annoyed me watching the commentary to see a lot of liberal commentators saying this. They are not seeing what is in front of their face. If they don't wake up and see what's happening, then the general election will be worrying. They came across as a bit superior and knowing better.

wotsthat

Of the people I know who voted UKIP (4) all said they didn't like Eastern Europeans and thought the only reason they came to the UK was to sign on and use the NHS. No mention of the EU.

The move to the right during the economic crisis means that weak willed politicians have gone with the flow. Possibly 10 years ago they would have been willing to try and link immigration with having the world's fastest growing developed economy. Not now - if the electorate is simply basing their ideas on misinformation no politician is going to tell them otherwise. Pointing out people's faults is a vote loser.