Mapping the radical right in Northern Europe
The pandemic has not silenced right-wing extremists. Experts warn, for instance, that the current demonstrations against Anti-Corona-measures in Germany could be used to increase support for right-wing extremist ideas. 2019 saw an increase in the number of executed and averted right-wing extremist motivated terrorism – for example with the attacks in Hanau and Halle as well as the attempts in Oslo and Denmark. The attacks are interrelated. The perpetrators of the Halle and Hanau attacks for instance claimed to be inspired by among others Anders Behring Breivik. Furthermore, many of the online hate campaigns seem to be organised. Right-wing extremists are increasingly working in networks, exchanging views and ideas and spreading information across borders.
These developments and structures pose the question of how resilient and effective counter movements are. We have invited civil society actors for a series of online exchanges with the aim to strengthen ties between anti-right-wing actors in the Nordics and Germany and in the long-term establish a Nordic-German expert network. We want to create awareness for action that can support and strengthen these important organizations' work. The content will be summarized in a written briefing with political recommendations.
Passed events
Which are the major radical right movements in Northern Europe
Expert interviews, made for the first exchange, examining groups, individuals and platforms of the radical right in the Nordic Countries and Germany:
Bilan Osman: The radical right in Sweden
Susi Meret: The radical right in Denmark
Oula Silvennoinen: The radical right in Finland
Nicholas Potter: The radical right in Germany
Shoaib M. Sultan: The radical right in Norway
How has the radical right influenced the debate culture in Northern Europe
Expert interviews, made for the second exchange, examining how the political discourse and debate culture have been influenced by the radical right:
Anna Ardin: How has the radical right influenced the debate culture in Sweden?
Susi Meret: How has the radical right influenced the debate culture in Denmark?
Emilia Palonen: How has the radical right influenced the debate culture in Finland?
Axel Salheiser: How has the radical right influenced the debate culture in Germany?
Cathrine Thorleifsson: How has the radical right influenced the debate culture in Norway?
Online hate – and what to do about it
Expert interviews, made for the third exchange, examining the national experiences of hate speech in the Nordic Countries and Germany:
Hanna Gleiss: Online hate - Germany
Stine Helding Rand: Online hate - Denmark
Ola Larsmo: Online hate - Sweden
Mariam Tartusy: Online hate - Norway
Demands for further Action
An online exchange on the most acute needs to strengthen democracy in northern Europe. Point of departure: 20 demands on the German government, raised by the Amadeo-Antonio Foundation on the first day of the German government coalition negotiations in 2021. The demands were supported by 30 German civil society organizations that stand up against right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism and racism. The aim to push future government policies further towards strengthen democracy. You find the demands here.
For further questions, contact:
Josefin Fürst
josefin.furst@fes.de
FES Nordic Countries
Postal Address
Box 3107
103 62 Stockholm
Sweden
Office Address
Västmannagatan 4
111 24 Stockholm
Sweden
