Europe’s far right seizes on protest violence to push authoritarian anti-immigration agenda
Far-right nationalist leaders across Europe are weaponizing recent protest violence, framing it as the inevitable outcome of failed liberal governance and open-border policies. Figures in France and Germany are leveraging the unrest ahead of upcoming elections to advocate for strict law-and-order and anti-immigration agendas.
Why it matters
The political weaponization of civil unrest threatens to accelerate the rise of far-right authoritarian politics in key European nations just months ahead of major elections.
A fire burns as police officers in riot gear stand guard in Paris. A fire burns as police officers in riot gear stand guard in Paris. The far right Europe’s far right seizes on protest violence to push authoritarian anti-immigration agenda Nationalist leaders are framing unrest as consequence of failed liberal governance and open borders
Prefer the Guardian on Google Europe’s far-right leaders have jumped on the violence that rocked numerous cities last weekend, framing it as the inevitable consequence of failed liberal governance and open-border policies and insisting only they can restore law and order.
Months away from key elections in Spain, France and Italy, authoritarian nationalists are eager to weaponise the wave of street unrest, originating in peaceful protests over the cost of living and deteriorating public services but hijacked by violent rioters.
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