A couple of things have happened in Europe or at least in some countries:
First, the traditional right has shifted left and a big chunk has been absorbed by a centrist 'blob'. This is very much the case in France, for instance, where Macron has absorbed everything from moderate left to moderate right. The 'far right' has also moved left to become more mainstream and to fill the gap.
When the article mentions "a coming together of the center right and the far right", well where is the "right"? What is called "far right" now would have been the right 20-30 years ago.
Second, the debate over immigration and identity has been poisoned, with all 'mainstream' parties being more or less the same and any suggestion of drastic reduction and push-back against political Islam labelled "far right". This article contributes to this, and exemplifies the point when the author writes "During the refugee crisis in 2015, for example, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Mr. Orban were seen as political opposites — she the figurehead of liberalism, he of illiberalism". Here we have it: Merkel, from a traditional Conservative party, champions an open door policy and calling for limits is illiberal and extreme.
What is labeled "far right" these days is not really so, and there should be real debate and action on immigration. Nothing "unthinkable" about recent election results and nothing catastrophic, either.
4 comments
[ 2.6 ms ] story [ 21.8 ms ] threadFirst, the traditional right has shifted left and a big chunk has been absorbed by a centrist 'blob'. This is very much the case in France, for instance, where Macron has absorbed everything from moderate left to moderate right. The 'far right' has also moved left to become more mainstream and to fill the gap.
When the article mentions "a coming together of the center right and the far right", well where is the "right"? What is called "far right" now would have been the right 20-30 years ago.
Second, the debate over immigration and identity has been poisoned, with all 'mainstream' parties being more or less the same and any suggestion of drastic reduction and push-back against political Islam labelled "far right". This article contributes to this, and exemplifies the point when the author writes "During the refugee crisis in 2015, for example, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Mr. Orban were seen as political opposites — she the figurehead of liberalism, he of illiberalism". Here we have it: Merkel, from a traditional Conservative party, champions an open door policy and calling for limits is illiberal and extreme.
What is labeled "far right" these days is not really so, and there should be real debate and action on immigration. Nothing "unthinkable" about recent election results and nothing catastrophic, either.