Immigration: Far-right fringe exploits European coalitions

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In the first of a series on the politics of immigration in Europe, Ian Traynor reveals how mainstream European parties appear paralysed by populism, unable to halt the rise of the far right

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Europe's mainstream political parties are engaged in a worsening feud over how to deal with the growing power of extreme rightwing anti-immigrant movements. Amid a backlash against immigration that has shaken Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden in recent months, governments of the centre-right or centre-left appear at a loss to counter the appeal of extremist populists who have moved from the madcap fringes of national politics into government, or propping up minority centrist coalitions.

A liberals-led coalition has just taken office in the Netherlands dependent on the parliamentary support of Geert Wilders, Europe's leading Islam-baiter. In Denmark, another liberals-led government also relies on the anti-immigrant nationalists of the Danish People's Party for survival. Last week, the DPP won a tightening of the most draconian immigration laws in Europe in return for agreeing to the government's budget for next year.

Alarmed at the growing appeal of the far right, leaders of the centre-right and centre-left are struggling to form a coherent response. Attempts to construct a cross-party European anti-extremism pact are falling victim to the expediencies of national politics. "This is becoming a very hot political issue," said a spokesman for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, a large grouping in the European parliament.

Last week Wilfried Martens, a former Belgian prime minister who leads the European People's party which groups ruling Christian democrats in most of the EU, made approaches to social democrat and liberal leaders with the aim of forging a joint anti-extremist position.

"Martens wants a common approach of the political parties," said his spokesman, Kostas Sasmatzoglou. "The phenomenon is growing and these far-right parties are getting stronger and stronger. We all face the same issue, but we should not be trying to score political points."

Full story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/15/europe-immigration-far-right-threat