Europe: Europe’s Social Democrats: Firewall against right-wing extremists

Europe’s Social Democrats are calling on the conservative parties to strictly exclude any cooperation with right-wing extremists in Europe. “This must never happen again!” says a “Berlin Democracy Declaration” that the European Social Democratic Party plans to adopt at a congress in Berlin on Saturday and which is available to the German Press Agency. The party leaders Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil as well as Europe’s top candidate Katarina Barley want to sign for the SPD, as the party said.

The statement is also a response to recent statements by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen had shown herself open to working with right-wing conservative forces in the European Parliament. With a view to a possible second term in office after the upcoming European elections, the CDU politician did not rule out cooperation with the European Conservatives and Reformers (ECR) group. The EKR faction includes, among others, the national-conservative Fratelli d’Italia of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the party of the right-wing extremist French politician Éric Zemmour, the right-wing populist Vox from Spain and the national-conservative Polish party PiS.

Rise of right-wing extremist forces

In their statement, Europe’s Social Democrats condemn the conservative and liberal parties that have given right-wing extremist parties access to power through coalitions or agreements. “Without their willingness to work with the right-wing extremists, this would not have happened.” Conservatives and liberals would have to reject any cooperation or alliance with right-wing extremist forces in their election programs and statements. “This is the only way we can give voters the certainty that there will be a reliable and solid firewall against right-wing extremism after the European elections.”

The Social Democrats see the rise of right-wing extremist forces in Europe as a threat to the European project and its citizens. “Where the right-wing extremists are in government today, they are restricting the right to strike and the rights of workers.” Freedom of the press, the rule of law and the rights of women and LGBTIQ+ people would be restricted. “They use authoritarian, autocratic means to undermine freedom and democracy.”

In their statement, Europe’s Social Democrats recalled the mass protests against right-wing extremism in recent weeks. “As Social Democrats, we stand by your side.”