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The far-right in Europe

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Austria's far-right Freedom Party has returned to power in a coalition government, capping a year of successes for Europe's nationalist movements.

A far-right party has made gains in Germany, in September becoming the first such party to enter parliament in large numbers since the end of World War II, but their counterpart in France is faring less well.

Here is a snapshot of some of the far-right parties in Europe.

- Austria -

The eurosceptic and anti-immigrant Freedom Party (FPOe) came close to winning the presidency in December 2016, which would have made its leader the European Union's first far-right president.

One of Europe's most established nationalist parties, it became the junior coalition partner on Friday to the conservative People's Party (OeVP).

Founded in 1956 by ex-Nazis, the party earned a stunning second place in 1999 elections with nearly 27 percent.

Last year its candidate Norbert Hofer narrowly lost a presidential runoff against Greens-backed economics professor Alexander Van der Bellen.

- Germany -

Alternative for Germany party members such as Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel have won seats in p...
Alternative for Germany party members such as Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel have won seats in parliament. It is the first far-right party to enter the Bundestag in decades
John MACDOUGALL, AFP/File

The openly Islamophobic and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the third-biggest party in the Bundestag after the September election, a political earthquake for post-war Germany.

The party took nearly 13 percent of the votes, having failed in the 2013 election to make even the five percent required for representation in parliament.

It has more than 90 seats.

- France -

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen won 34 percent of votes in a May presidential run-off  but her...
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen won 34 percent of votes in a May presidential run-off, but her National Front party fared less well in parliamentary polls in June
Michal CIZEK, AFP/File

Marine Le Pen's National Front (FN), founded by her firebrand father Jean-Marie in 1972, took nearly 34 percent of votes in the May presidential election run-off won by Emmanuel Macron.

This was double her father's 17.8 percent score when he reached the second round in 2002.

In campaigning, Le Pen vowed to abandon the euro, reinstate control of the nation's borders and curb immigration if she won.

But the party fared badly in June parliamentary elections, taking just eight seats out of 577.

Tensions later burst into the open when Le Pen's right-hand man Florian Philippot quit and looks set to go his own way.

- Netherlands -

Geert Wilders leads the far-right PVV  the second party in the Dutch parliament
Geert Wilders leads the far-right PVV, the second party in the Dutch parliament
Michal CIZEK, AFP/File

The anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders in March became the second party in parliament, with 20 seats in the 150-member legislature.

- Hungary -

Hungarian ultra-nationalist party Jobbik has led demonstrations against Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Hungarian ultra-nationalist party Jobbik has led demonstrations against Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Attila KISBENEDEK, AFP/File

The Movement for a Better Hungary, known as Jobbik, is ultra-nationalist and eurosceptic. It is the second largest party in the legislature but has been outflanked by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's own hardline anti-immigration stance.

- Italy -

Italy's anti-euro and anti-immigrant Northern League won 18 seats in parliament
Italy's anti-euro and anti-immigrant Northern League won 18 seats in parliament
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/File

The Northern League is a "regionalist" formation that evolved into an anti-euro and anti-immigrant party. It secured 18 seats in the 2013 parliamentary election.

The next general election must be held by spring 2018 and the party is hovering at around 14 percent of voter intentions.

- Greece -

The neo-Nazi Golden Dawn finished third in the September 2015 election, with seven percent of the vote and 18 MPs. One later defected and the party is now the fourth biggest in parliament.

- Sweden -

The Sweden Democrats party, with roots in the neo-Nazi movement, made a breakthrough in September 2014 to become the country's third biggest party with 48 of 349 seats and nearly 13 percent of the vote.

- Bulgaria -

The nationalist United Patriots coalition entered government for the first time in May after coming third in a March election. It is the junior party in the governing coalition.

- Slovakia -

In March 2016 the People's Party Our Slovakia benefited from Europe's refugee crisis to enter parliament for the first time, winning 14 seats out of 150.

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party has returned to power in a coalition government, capping a year of successes for Europe’s nationalist movements.

A far-right party has made gains in Germany, in September becoming the first such party to enter parliament in large numbers since the end of World War II, but their counterpart in France is faring less well.

Here is a snapshot of some of the far-right parties in Europe.

– Austria –

The eurosceptic and anti-immigrant Freedom Party (FPOe) came close to winning the presidency in December 2016, which would have made its leader the European Union’s first far-right president.

One of Europe’s most established nationalist parties, it became the junior coalition partner on Friday to the conservative People’s Party (OeVP).

Founded in 1956 by ex-Nazis, the party earned a stunning second place in 1999 elections with nearly 27 percent.

Last year its candidate Norbert Hofer narrowly lost a presidential runoff against Greens-backed economics professor Alexander Van der Bellen.

– Germany –

Alternative for Germany party members such as Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel have won seats in p...

Alternative for Germany party members such as Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel have won seats in parliament. It is the first far-right party to enter the Bundestag in decades
John MACDOUGALL, AFP/File

The openly Islamophobic and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the third-biggest party in the Bundestag after the September election, a political earthquake for post-war Germany.

The party took nearly 13 percent of the votes, having failed in the 2013 election to make even the five percent required for representation in parliament.

It has more than 90 seats.

– France –

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen won 34 percent of votes in a May presidential run-off  but her...

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen won 34 percent of votes in a May presidential run-off, but her National Front party fared less well in parliamentary polls in June
Michal CIZEK, AFP/File

Marine Le Pen’s National Front (FN), founded by her firebrand father Jean-Marie in 1972, took nearly 34 percent of votes in the May presidential election run-off won by Emmanuel Macron.

This was double her father’s 17.8 percent score when he reached the second round in 2002.

In campaigning, Le Pen vowed to abandon the euro, reinstate control of the nation’s borders and curb immigration if she won.

But the party fared badly in June parliamentary elections, taking just eight seats out of 577.

Tensions later burst into the open when Le Pen’s right-hand man Florian Philippot quit and looks set to go his own way.

– Netherlands –

Geert Wilders leads the far-right PVV  the second party in the Dutch parliament

Geert Wilders leads the far-right PVV, the second party in the Dutch parliament
Michal CIZEK, AFP/File

The anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders in March became the second party in parliament, with 20 seats in the 150-member legislature.

– Hungary –

Hungarian ultra-nationalist party Jobbik has led demonstrations against Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Hungarian ultra-nationalist party Jobbik has led demonstrations against Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Attila KISBENEDEK, AFP/File

The Movement for a Better Hungary, known as Jobbik, is ultra-nationalist and eurosceptic. It is the second largest party in the legislature but has been outflanked by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s own hardline anti-immigration stance.

– Italy –

Italy's anti-euro and anti-immigrant Northern League won 18 seats in parliament

Italy's anti-euro and anti-immigrant Northern League won 18 seats in parliament
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/File

The Northern League is a “regionalist” formation that evolved into an anti-euro and anti-immigrant party. It secured 18 seats in the 2013 parliamentary election.

The next general election must be held by spring 2018 and the party is hovering at around 14 percent of voter intentions.

– Greece –

The neo-Nazi Golden Dawn finished third in the September 2015 election, with seven percent of the vote and 18 MPs. One later defected and the party is now the fourth biggest in parliament.

– Sweden –

The Sweden Democrats party, with roots in the neo-Nazi movement, made a breakthrough in September 2014 to become the country’s third biggest party with 48 of 349 seats and nearly 13 percent of the vote.

– Bulgaria –

The nationalist United Patriots coalition entered government for the first time in May after coming third in a March election. It is the junior party in the governing coalition.

– Slovakia –

In March 2016 the People’s Party Our Slovakia benefited from Europe’s refugee crisis to enter parliament for the first time, winning 14 seats out of 150.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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