11. October 2024, 18:25
How similar are the right-wing parties in Europe?
The last state elections in three eastern German states and the Austrian National Council election have one thing in common: they won, or did very well, with the FPÖ and the AFD, two parties that have a lot in common. Both are members of the “Patriots of Europe” faction at the European level, both see themselves as an alternative political model, and both used the term “remigration”, which was coined by right-wing extremists, during the election campaign. In the past there were many differences between the two parties, and their integration into the political system is also different. The German Konrad Adenauer Foundation has commissioned its own study on the similarities and differences between the two parties. Sebastian Enskat, head of the Vienna office of the Adenauer Foundation, explains the results.
Switzerland: Is direct democracy for sale?
In no other country in the world can citizens participate in political decisions to such an extent as in Switzerland. It is a model state for direct democracy and has been for 150 years. Votes are held four times a year on proposals submitted by interest groups. In one of the last votes, for example, the Swiss voted in favor of a 13th pension payment or against the construction of new nuclear power plants. Now, of all times, a signature scandal is shaking trust in direct democracy, reports Marion Flatz-Mäser.
Spain: The return of xenophobia
When it comes to integrating immigrants, Spain has so far been considered a model model within the EU. But in the last few months the mood has changed significantly. Politically, the massive influx of boat refugees to the Canary Islands was the last straw. The regions in mainland Spain do not even want to take the unaccompanied minor refugees from the Canary Islands. And the daily newspaper El Pais is already writing about the “return of xenophobia” in Spain, reports Josef Manola.
Lithuania: The political system is being reorganized
Lithuania faces a landmark parliamentary election at the end of a politically turbulent year. After the presidential and European elections, it is now Parliament’s turn and the political landscape is more fragmented than ever. New actors are entering parliament, while the traditional parties are losing support. Markus Nowak reports from Vilnius that it will be difficult to find stable majorities in the new parliament.
