Since Covid-19, and the Russian – Ukrainian war, pressure has been building in the European Union for half a decade, and as it grows, as does the dissatisfaction of the masses, which has turned extreme. Throughout Europe, extremist parties are rising in power, 7 national parliaments containing far right parties, many more threatened to.
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs/Subcommittee on Legal Affairs (LIBE/JURI) has been tasked with tackling how to counteract the rise of extremism, while ensuring freedom of speech is not affected. While the committee is starting their mission, they are also having to learn how to work together for the first time, having, for the most part, not met each other before. Speaking with the delegate for Cyprus, Evridiki Christophide, an insight was given to how the newly formed committee is rising to the challenge: “my committee is working together rather fruitfully,” Evridiki started, “everyone has great ideas and very different opinions, so the conversation is always very interesting.” This was also shown in their committee meeting, in which, though there were disagreements, the delegates consistently showed each other respect.
The rise of political extremism in Europe is illustrated by Evridiki to not only be visible in election results, but in ‘the prejudice within societies and the ways minorities are treated’. She went on to reference violent attacks that present the increase of primarily far-right extremism towards certain demographics. Evridiki further addressed this: “one of the first things the EU should ensure is the safety of its people… I’m definitely scared for the future of the EU,” This fear is felt by many as more extremist parties lay claim over political systems all throughout Europe. “But I have faith in it, and the youth.”
A primary trouble the committee must tackle is how to curb extremist parties, while ensuring the safety of free speech. While extremist parties must be given checks, to do so would be to limit the freedom of speech that the people of the EU are given under EU law. Furthermore, would limiting political freedom not be a breach of democracy? Evridiki contrasted this, saying rather that “counteracting extremism will not mean overstepping rights of the freedom of speech, and that’s what the EU has to ensure.”
Arguably the most important factor in this equation, however, is the people. The people who continue to vote for more extremist parties, because they are dissatisfied with the current government, or because there is a rise in euroscepticism and political discontent. This question of why was posed to Evridiki, “political extremism often tends to be very populist, so it seems like a solution to desperate citizens so extremist parties are making ways that seem attractive to people as a direct solution to problems that they see in their everyday lives.” This, along with evidence from the committee meeting, suggests that extremist parties are rising to power not because of the failure of other parties, but because of the desperation of the people, who feel a need for an extreme change.
As these parties continue to rise, they are not only infiltrating national parliaments, but the European parliament as well, arguably undermining its authority as a democratic nation. According to Evridiki, the rise in votes for extremist parties in the European election is not only dividing the parliament but creating an increased representation of extremist views, increasing Euroscepticism and political discontent among many. This is therefore leading into a fear, however Evridiki argues it’s a larger issue than simply the parliament, and it should be treated as a social issue, rather than boiled down to simply political.
Combating the rise of extremism could be a vital turning point in Europe, however, if done incorrectly, could show the government doing exactly what they aim to prevent. This is why it must be done correctly, for the future.
Salma Nassae, EUobserver