Have you noticed the efforts made by some to normalize and trivialize the far right?
We are even saying that the National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, should no longer be considered as an extreme right party, but rather as a straight right party.
Let’s call a spade a spade: a political group which promotes hatred, division, xenophobia and which goes so far as to propose a policy of national preference for public services is undeniably far-right. A political party that counts among its founders a former member of the Waffen-SS, and whose most famous leader was convicted of insidious anti-Semitism, can undeniably be described as far-right.
A political party which questions the institutions of the Republic, which does not respect the principle of separation of executive and judicial powers, which does not exclude the return of the death penalty, which wishes France to leave integrated command of NATO, and which has repeatedly voted against laws favorable to the LGBTQ community, is undoubtedly a far-right party.
Despite cosmetic changes such as a name change, a new spokesperson or an adjustment of positions after the fact, this does not alter historical and current policies and positions.
The far right is gaining ground throughout the West, particularly in Europe. It takes advantage of the frustrations of citizens who feel ignored or neglected by the center parties. This indifference pushes voters to seek a listening ear, ready to capitalize on fear, anger and a sense of injustice.
When we try to normalize the far right by rejecting the label “extreme,” we bury our heads in the sand and lead to our own doom.
