Results for: Far-Right

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, has pledged to be vigilant against potential Russian threats and ruled out sending troops to Ukraine if his party wins upcoming elections. While supporting continued logistical and defense equipment aid to Ukraine, Bardella drew a line at deploying French soldiers or long-range missiles, citing the risk of escalation with a nuclear power. Despite this stance, Bardella has accused Russia of posing multidimensional threats to France and Europe, pointing to its activities in Africa, the Black Sea, and French overseas territories. The stance comes amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine and ongoing discussions regarding Western military aid.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged young people to reject far-right ideologies, citing a rise in support for extremist parties in recent European elections. He attributes this trend to a lack of hope and security among the youth, driven by economic inequality and concerns about the future. Scholz advocates for addressing issues like labor rights, climate change, and artificial intelligence to restore faith in the future and counter the appeal of extremism.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance (RE) party is facing a potential rout in upcoming elections as a left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front (NPF), and the far-right National Rally (RN) party gain popularity. RE’s decline is attributed to Macron’s stance on immigration and proposed pension reforms, while the NPF’s emergence provides an alternative for dissatisfied voters. The far-right RN, led by Marine Le Pen, is on the rise due to its anti-immigration platform. Surveys indicate that RN is narrowly ahead of NPF in the first round of voting, putting Macron’s party in third place. If RE loses the election, Macron would lose control of the domestic agenda and face potential friction with an opposing prime minister. The far-right’s potential gains could lead to historic representation in parliament, potentially enabling them to form a coalition government with smaller parties.

The National Rally (RN), formerly known as the National Front, is a far-right party in France that has surged in popularity in recent years. Led by Marine Le Pen, the party advocates for nationalist and anti-immigration policies, while also making overtures to progressive ideals such as environmentalism and feminism. The RN has strong ties to the Kremlin and has attracted a younger voter base in recent years. If the RN wins the upcoming legislative elections, it could lead to a period of cohabitation in France, with President Macron remaining in office but the RN controlling domestic policy through the prime minister.

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas has emerged victorious in a runoff election against far-right challenger Brandon Herrera, securing a third term representing a majority Hispanic district in southwest Texas. The district holds the largest stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border and includes Uvalde, the site of a tragic elementary school shooting in 2022.

On April 25th, 2024, Portugal commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, which ended decades of dictatorship. The celebration comes amidst a shifting political landscape, with the center-right winning recent elections and the far-right gaining ground. Despite concerns over the rise of extremism, former political prisoners and historians emphasize the importance of safeguarding democracy and educating younger generations about the struggles of the past. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the hard-fought freedoms and challenges that lie ahead in preserving them.

Protests demanding the release of hostages descended into chaos in Jerusalem, resulting in confrontations between demonstrators and police. Protesters overturned garbage cans, set fires, and blocked traffic, while police responded with force. The situation escalated after the release of a new video showing the hostages.

A far-right Greek MP, Konstantinos Floros, was arrested after allegedly punching and headlocking another MP, Vassilis Grammenos, during a parliamentary debate. Floros, who is now an independent, was ordered to be handed over to the police by Parliament Speaker Constantinos Tasoulas and faces criminal charges. The incident occurred during a debate on the immunity of Kyriakos Velopoulos, the president of the nationalist Greek Solution Party, who is being sued for defamation. Floros allegedly shouted “shut up, you trash!” to Grammenos after he was not allowed to speak, leading to the physical altercation. Grammenos was taken to the parliament’s medical clinic, and Floros was expelled from parliament for 15 days.

A recent survey reveals a growing dissatisfaction among young Germans, with concerns about their future prosperity emerging as a potential factor. As a result, the far-right AfD party has gained considerable support, with over 22% of 14-29-year-olds expressing their intention to vote for them in parliamentary elections.

Vlaams Belang, a nationalist and pro-independence party, leads in recent polls in Flanders, the wealthiest and most populous region in Belgium, ahead of the upcoming European, federal, and regional elections. However, the party faces challenges in other regions, with the far-right party Chez Nous struggling to gain traction in Wallonia and Brussels.