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Fascists Threaten Europe
Not Yet Defeated
Far-Right political parties have bewildered voters. They hold more than 13% of parliamentary seats in Germany, Spain, Austria, and France, among other countries.
The most influential European right-wing populist political party, described as “soft fascism,” is Fidesz in Hungary, at the helm with Viktor Orban.
Orban has been vocally against immigration from the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, describing migrants fleeing from war-torn countries as “poison.”
Others spew similar nonsense, threatening the much-needed solidarity we seek in our polarized times.
Before addressing fascism in Europe, we have to say that these threats are real, but because of that they are also seen where they are not, in fact.
People often mistake forms of conservatism for fascism, for example. This is especially true since staunchly progressive ideology made centrism seem like conservatism.
Any respect for institutions or authority can be misrepresented as in opposition to progress. Similarly, a belief in free speech and the importance of debate can be seen as “providing a stage” for “hate-speech.”
All these issues are nuanced and are above this short post. Nonetheless, it is essential to address some differences…
