Near the end of 2016, Carnegie Europe published an article, which, if it proves to be true, could have shocking and far-reaching implications for all of Europe and beyond.
The headline was “2016, the Year Europe Forgot World War II”. The article sought to remind everyone what it was like leading up to that war,
“For two generations, the collective memory of fascism inoculated most of Europe from the hate politics that ran riot in the 1930s. … The year 2016 was when far-right politics became mainstream again.”
The 80-year-old current head of the Roman Catholic Church, according to a DW article, also addressed the world’s current political mood. He warned Europe’s citizens,
“against the rise of populist movements in Europe, saying it could lead to the election of “saviors” like Hitler.” And that, “they should avoid repeating the same mistakes made in the 1930s to solve economic and political crises, which led to World War II.”
The Conference
Less than 4 weeks later, 800 European nationalist representatives met in Germany. American TV program, PBS Newshour Weekend, and a German TV program, DW News, covered the Saturday January 21, 2017 conference.
Geert Wilders, founder of Netherlands’ Party for Freedom; Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Front; and Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AFD) co-leader, Frauke Petry addressed the group.
In DW’s video, “European right-wing populists meet in Koblenz”, Wilders told his fellow populists,
“Yesterday a new America, today Koblenz, tomorrow a new Europe”.
Petry told them,
“We must have the courage to reimagine Europe and Europe’s future”
And according to PBS,
“French far-right Leader Marine Le Pen urged Europeans to follow the example of Britain and the United States.”
The Implication
Some feel that a number of the thoughts and actions leading up to the World War II are being repeated.
And if so, as seasoned politician and outgoing German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote in his recent opinion piece for the German tabloid, Bild,
“The world should be ready for turbulent times.”
Photo Credits: Battle by Joe Vahling, License: CC BY 2.0; CIA Map of Europe
