Semafor Signals
Far-right EU parliament group expels Germany’s AfD over Nazi comments
Insights from Euronews, Der Spiegel, and the New York Times
The News
Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany, AfD) party has been kicked out of the EU parliament’s far-right Identity and Democracy alliance after one of its highest-profile members said the Nazi paramilitary force, the SS, were “not all criminals.”
France’s Marine Le Pen, who leads the far-right National Rally party and is part of the ID alliance, said her party would have a “clean break” from the AfD, potentially dealing a blow for the far-right movement as the elections draw near. A recent Politico poll found the ID group is in fourth place ahead of next month’s elections, but “that could all change” if the controversy around the AfD splinters the group further.
SIGNALS
Far-right split risks diluting power in European parliament
The right-wing’s growing popularity in Europe positions far-right parties to shape the bloc’s policy more broadly, but they “need to find unity if they are to wield greater influence on the EU stage,” according to Euronews — particularly when it comes to Ukraine. But the far-right factions have a tendency to clash on the nuances of policy decisions so much that“they are not such a big danger” to more moderate party alliances, according to a European Centre for Foreign Relations research fellow.
Germany’s youth are embracing the far right, with violent consequences
Political violence is on the rise in Germany: At least three lawmakers belonging to the government’s coalition have been attacked this month, and there have been several other attacks on moderate and left-wing local politicians. The incidents, often perpetrated by teenagers or young adults in far-right youth groups, underscore a “new level of uninhibitedness,” according to Der Spiegel. The AfD’s electoral success and rhetoric “created a climate in which such violence is more likely,” the newspaper wrote, and the party has rewarded young loyalists by nominating them as candidates in local elections.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni could guide the European far right forward
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni combines “Atlanticism” — a strong commitment to NATO and Ukraine — with hardline immigration and climate policy, making her one of the most pragmatic European far-right leaders, according to a New York Times op-ed. So much so that Brussels now sees her as a key ally and diplomatic force. Meloni has played a crucial role in guiding the bloc’s foreign policy — particularly by working with African countries to try to curb migration into the EU. Some have dubbed her the “Orbán whisperer” for pushing Hungarian Prime Viktor Orbán to allow EU funding for Ukraine. Her success could have a ripple effect, as more radical far-right parties like Le Pen’s RN have scaled back their Eurosceptic rhetoric, according to the Times.
