- cross-posted to:
- world@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- world@lemmy.world
Alternative for Germany has joined France’s National Rally and Reform U.K. in becoming the most popular party in its country, according to polls.
For the first time in modern history, far-right and populist parties are simultaneously topping the polls in Europe’s three main economies of Germany, France and Britain.
A poll Tuesday showed Alternative for Germany — which is under surveillance by the country’s intelligence services over suspected extremism — is now the most favored by voters. The survey by broadcaster RTL put the AfD at 26%, ahead of the ruling Christian Democrats at 24%.
This is a high watermark for the European far right, a once fringe movement whose virulently anti-immigration, anti-Islam and culture-war politics were shunned by the mainstream just a decade ago. Today, these parties have developed deep ties with President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, who openly cite nationalists such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as inspirations on policy and tactics.
I would expect about a quarter of any national population to be conservative, perhaps even deeply conservative. There will always be people who appeal to some fantasy of the past or who take comfort in the magical thinking of nationalism and religion, particularly in times of stress.
I think it is important to acknowledge that progress is an uphill march that takes time and constant dedication. To progress, you must appeal to the remaining 75% enough to get them to vote.
But this polls show that a quarter of the people support far-right ideology … they haven’t even added the conservatives. That’s another quarter.
Far more, and all eagerly awaiting the chance to finally get rid of everyone left of them by cooperating with far-right extremists.