Xenophobia will get stuck when it reaches parliaments

Once racism received parliamentary stronghold it is difficult to get rid of it. Xenophobic parties may then usually get more of a say and contribute to a harder debate climate. It is one of the conclusions of the review of organized racism in Europe as the journalist Lisa Bjurwald made on behalf of Fores.

Sweden has largely been spared from xenophobic forces in parliament, but in several Nordic and European countries, xenophobic parties gained political success. Fores therefore let freelance journalist and author Lisa Bjurwald made a compilation of xenophobic forces in Europe. Bjurwalds study “The extreme right in Europe” shows that racism in Europe is widespread, vicious and can be found in several European parliaments.

— We see in several European countries that once the new xenophobic parties took place in parliament, they have steadily increased their influence. This applies to Denmark, where Danish People’s Party functioned as a support party, and in Switzerland and Italy, where xenophobic parties are in government, said study author Lisa Bjurwald.

— In Sweden we think that we are vaccinated against xenophobic parties, and if they would take place in parliament, many believe that it would be short-lived. But examples from other parts of Europe shows the enduring and poisonous influence xenophobic parties may have, both on debate and the everyday politics, says Martin Ådahl, president of Fores.

Xenophobic parties are represented in about half of the European countries national parliaments and also has about 40 seats in the European Parliament. While Islamophobia has seriously taken hold in Europe, the persecution of Roma is increasing and new forms of Anti-Semitism is also growing.

— The xenophobic parties are now affecting the political realities around Europe, something not least Europe’s Muslims felt in the form of discrimination and restrictions of their rights, for example shown in the Swiss minaret ban. Although the situation of Roma has worsened and they are exposed to everything from mass expulsions to arson, said Lisa Bjurwald.

— The situation in Europe is deeply worrying. Whatever tactics you choose to limit the xenophobic influence in parliament, it is important to highlight the positive examples and the mobilizing popular resistance against racism, says Martin Ådahl.

Contact: Martin Ådahl, Fores President +46 730 88 52 61

Lisa Bjurwald, author of “The extreme right in Europe” +46 737 04 73 23