The constitution of a right-wing group in the European Parliament
is disappointing news for the democracy

“Today is a sad day for the democracy and freedom in Europe” said the President of the European Left (EL), Pierre Laurent, following the creation of a far-right group in the European Parliament (EP). “Just when we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the defeat of the Fascism in Europe by the alliance of the democratic forces, the speech of the far-right strengthens its voice in the EP”.

In fact now, with their own group, they will have more speaking time, extra EU funds and better committee positions “to sow hatred among European peoples and against immigrants, who are dying in their intent to flee wars, death and misery with the complicity of the European Union” added Laurent.

The new group, called Europe of Nations and Freedoms, lead by France's National Front chief Marine Le Pen, is composed of the Dutch PVV of Geert Wilders, Austria's Freedom Party, Italy's Northern League and the Belgian Flemish Vlaams Belang and it will push its strong anti-immigrant agenda and promote the anti-EU discourse inside the EP.

In these moments it is more important than ever that all the forces of the political left, trade unions and social movements join their forces to combat and dismantle the xenophobic, nationalist and fascist speech of the extreme right from their roots, and also to strengthen the work in the credible and viable anti-neoliberal alternative, to isolate them, explained the President of the EL.

"Democracy is at stake in Europe. On the one hand we have the policies of austerity, the xenophobia of the extreme right, the populist and nationalist political forces, an on the other hand the democracy, the solidarity among the peoples, the internationalism and the political, social and economic, rights defended by the left" argued the EL president.

He also pointed that this vital struggle for the democracy in Europe is especially represented by Syriza in Greece today, remembering the European week of solidarity with Greece that will be held from June 20 to 27. “That's why, today more that ever, the support to the victory of the Greek people has to be the top priority of the whole left. Failure to do so will usher the extreme right, whose influence has been growing as people have become poorer with the austerity policies imposed by the Troika with the complicity of the national governments.”

Laurent ended: "The people of Europe have to take to the streets to demonstrate that it is possible to slow down and put an end to this advance of the extreme right. And this is the time to do so. NO PASARÁN”