Alwaght-Donald Trump's triumph in US elections is the culmination of a worrying trend in which extremist far-right political parties are moving closer to grab power in Europe.
Over the last three decades, there has been a noticeable rise in xenophobic and extreme right-wing parties across much of Europe. During that period, most xenophobic parties never managed to pass the 5% minimum voter threshold that is normally required to be invited to government. However, over the last few years the situation has changed drastically and these extremist parties constitute as much as 28% of the parliament in countries like Austria, and 70% in Hungary.
These meteoric rise of the extremist far-right in at least 20 European countries comes amid an upsurge in xenophobic and Islamophobic attacks and crimes across the continent.
The far right Neo-Nazism is backed by new generation of young, web-based supporters embrace hardline nationalist and anti-immigrant group. Britain's vote to exit the European Union, dubbed Brexit, was successful following the scary rise of extremist far-right groups across the country which opposed the EU and migrants. Interestingly, Nigel Farage the head of Britain's far-right UKIP party, which lead Brexit campaign, has become the first British leader to meet with Trump since his shock victory. Trump’s victory was welcomed by several extremist and controversial right-wing political figures and parties in Europe.
Consequences of Far-Right Extremism in Western Countries
The current wave of extremist far-right nationalism in Western countries is part of the overzealous reaction following the 9/11 incidents which were followed by the Western media regarding immigrant groups, especially Muslims, as the source of the attacks.
The refugee crisis, terrorism and dissatisfaction with current leadership are blamed for the current rise of Europe’s far-right political parties.
In a disturbing move, Donald Trump has actually named a former head of an extremist far-right website as his Chief Strategist in the White House. Steve Bannon quit as the head of Breitbart, to help run Trump’s presidential campaign and his website was described as an ‘online haven for White Nationalists. Critics say the appointment of Bannon implies that White Supremacists will enjoy top level access in Trump's White House. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has decried Bannon's appointment terming him an Islamophobe and an anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist.
Racism and Racial Confrontations
Certainly, racism and xenophobia is fueling a global far-right surge and Trump's election after the presidency of America's first black president was a reaction by White Americans to reclaim their stranglehold on the country. Jared Taylor, who runs a white nationalist website called American Renaissance says Trump "may be the last hope for a president who would be good for white people." He founded a think tank dedicated to "scientifically" proving white superiority.
Immediately after Trump was pronounced winner, there have been increased incidents of racist or Islamophobic violence, many of which have drawn inspiration from the rhetoric and proposals of the President-elect. The future is bleak for minority non-White races in the US especially African Americans who must now brace for worse times ahead. In Europe too, following the refugee crisis, racism - particularly against Europeans of African descent – has risen sharply. No, doubt more deadly riots will be witnessed in Western countries as people of color prepare to resist and defend themselves against the onslaught by extremist white supremacists.
Separatist movements
In Europe, extremist far-right parties are typically opposed to the European Union and that explains the wave of anti-EU sentiment that is sweeping the continent after Britain’s historic decision to exit the bloc. Far-right parties in Europe are capitalizing on growing frustration with unelected Brussels bureaucrats and a growing migrant crisis. In the US, there extremist far-right white supremacists who seek to break from the union while some seek to dominate other races while maintaining the union. Meanwhile, many who opposed Trump and voted for Hillary Clinton have also initiated moves to secede from the US with California and Oregon residents leading calls for separation.
Trump's election in America has given a major boost to extremist far right parties across Europe. Considering the current economic, immigrant and terrorism crisis facing the continent and the disillusionment in most Western countries, it will be only a matter of time before Trump-like figures grab power in Europe.
