Far right on rise in Europe, says report

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/06/far-right-rise-europe-report


Extremist Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik (left), who went on a killing spree in Norway in July. A new Facebook-based study has revealed a rise in far right political views throughout Europe. Photograph: Scanpix Norway/Reuters

The far right is on the rise across Europe as a new generation of young, web-based supporters embrace hardline nationalist and anti-immigrant groups, a study has revealed ahead of a meeting of politicians and academics in Brussels to examine the phenomenon.

Research by the British thinktank Demos for the first time examines attitudes among supporters of the far right online. Using advertisements on Facebook group pages, they persuaded more than 10,000 followers of 14 parties and street organisations in 11 countries to fill in detailed questionnaires.

The study reveals a continent-wide spread of hardline nationalist sentiment among the young, mainly men. Deeply cynical about their own governments and the EU, their generalised fear about the future is focused on cultural identity, with immigration – particularly a perceived spread of Islamic influence – a concern.

"We're at a crossroads in European history," said Emine Bozkurt, a Dutch MEP who heads the anti-racism lobby at the European parliament. "In five years' time we will either see an increase in the forces of hatred and division in society, including ultra-nationalism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism, or we will be able to fight this horrific tendency."

[Turbineguy]

1. Yeah, it;s working so well in the U.S.

:sarcasm:

[moondust]

2. On a brighter note: Denmark just turned left.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/09/16/denmark-election-prime-minister.html

"The outcome ended 10 years of centre-right government and cut the influence of an anti-immigration party that used its kingmaker role to tighten Denmark's borders and stem the flow of asylum-seekers."