Concerns about the rise of extreme political forces in Europe
12.2.2013
Question for written answer E-001447-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Georges Bach (PPE) , Nikos Chrysogelos (Verts/ALE) , Spyros Danellis (S&D) , Isabelle Durant (Verts/ALE) , Ana Gomes (S&D) , Rebecca Harms (Verts/ALE) , Jim Higgins (PPE) , Seán Kelly (PPE) , Franziska Keller (Verts/ALE) , Maria Eleni Koppa (S&D) , Georgios Koumoutsakos (PPE) , Mario Mauro (PPE) , Gay Mitchell (PPE) , Ulrike Lunacek (Verts/ALE) , Anni Podimata (S&D) , Libor Rouček (S&D) , Olle Schmidt (ALDE) , Theodoros Skylakakis (ALDE) , Nils Torvalds (ALDE) , Ramon Tremosa i Balcells (ALDE) , Dominique Vlasto (PPE) , Cecilia Wikström (ALDE)
Over the last few years, there has been a considerable increase in the presence, action and political influence of extreme political movements in a growing number of Member States. The emergence and strengthening of extreme, intolerant, overtly xenophobic and even racist forces are linked to and draw on the social consequences — unemployment and increased poverty and hardship — of the major economic crisis facing European countries, especially those in the south, along with the inadequate management of the migration issue.
In Greece, we have seen a rise in the presence of such forces on the political scene, including parliamentary representation. Their extreme political discourse, symbols and concrete actions have brought back memories of the darkest years of modern European political history, the 1930s and early 1940s. Verbal and physical violence, praise for the Regime of the Colonels, repeated attacks against citizens and foreigners alike and threats against political opponents have proved to be permanent features of the action of these political forces, and a consequence of their presence.
In the light of these extremely serious issues, the Commission is asked to answer the following:
- 1.Is it aware that these forces use violence and violate nearly all norms of democracy, the rule of law and the fundamental European values upon which the EU is founded?
- 2.Are the Commission and the relevant agencies systematically monitoring the resurgence of similar political forces across Europe?
- 3.If so, what is the Commission’s position on this, and what is its plan of action for tackling this serious and most worrying situation, especially with a view to the forthcoming European Parliament elections in 2014?
OJ C 355 E, 05/12/2013