Politics

The Freedom Party of Austria or FPÖ aspires to come first nationally in the European elections. For the past 30 years it has been trying to normalize its image by attempting to break from its ideological heritage close to Nazism.

Is Beppe Grillo an extremist, a populist or a visionary? In spite of his slip-ups, his 5 Star movement is expected to get 25% of the votes in the European elections.  

The Dutch Party for Freedom or PVV is changing the face of the far-right in Europe. Anti-Islam but against homophobia, Geert Wilders’ party is leading the way for a softer form of nationalism.

Hungary is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. The country has to cope with the rise of Jobbik – the self-proclaimed “most popular radical party” in Europe. The ruling Fidesz party, on the other hand, does not hesitate to use their political opponent’s most extreme ideas.

The far right has been riding high in Denmark for over ten years. Xenophobic ideas defended by the Danish People’s Party have crept into the whole society.

The neo-Nazi Golden Dawn, an anti-Semitic, negationist and islamophobic party, has become a feature of Greek people’s daily life. With an estimated 15 to 20% of votes in the polls, they could enter the European Parliament in the next elections.

Has Marine Le Pen managed to turn the National Front into a regular party? It is hard to believe if we take into account the first measures taken by FN mayors since the municipal elections. But according to polls, the FN party is still expected to take the lead in the French ballot.

François Hollande has delivered on his commitment for government parity, which makes France the second country in the European Union to have an equal government. Most northern countries get quite close. Elsewhere, women’s representation in politics tends to diminish when conservatives are in power.
Translated by Clemence Grison

With their recent electoral successes in Sweden and Germany, European Pirate Parties are becoming more visible on the political scene in their respective countries. They are hoping to present a joint list at the next European elections. But how many are they?

Translated by Clémence Grison (Paris)

Anders Breivik Behring, the person accountable for the twin attacks of Oslo, was a member of the Progress Party (PRF) from 1999 to 2006. The party belongs to the new European radical right: uninhibited, breaking away from the symbols, rituals and language of the traditional extreme right, it attracts more and more younger crowd. Are these parties any less dangerous? Let’s have a panoramic view of the new populism throughout Europe.