Far-right party founded by former Nazis is tapped to lead Austria's government

[Behind the Aegis]

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party, which was founded by former Nazis, has been given a mandate to form a governing coalition, positioning it to lead the country for the first time since World War II.

The Freedom Party won the most votes in national elections in September, but a group of more moderate parties engaged in months-long negotiations to form a coalition that would block it from taking power. Those talks faltered over the weekend and the sitting chancellor resigned. On Monday the Austrian president gave the Freedom Party the go-ahead to assemble a coalition.

If that effort is successful, Austria will be led by a politician, Herbert Kickl, who has aspired to the title “Volkskanzler,” which means “people’s chancellor” and was also used by Adolf Hitler. The Freedom Party was founded in the years following World War II by former Nazi SS soldiers, a legacy that has cropped up more recently as well: Last year, attendees at a funeral of a longtime party member sang a song that praises the “holy German Reich” and that was popularized by the Nazis.

More broadly the party, like other far-right movements across Europe, is sympathetic to Russia and opposed to migration. Its election success, which alarmed local Jewish leaders, came at a time of gains for far-right parties across the continent.

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[B.See]

1. Triumph of evil...

again. The Trump effect. (or, can you spell, 'antichrist'? )

[nycbos]

3. The far right has been rising in Europe long before Trump.

I saw the initial warning signs in 2010 when I was studying the EU in Strasbourg.

[B.See]

6. True. But I think we'd be

remiss in not acknowledging (recognizing) the influence of Trump and MAGA upon the recent acceleration (and advancement) of right wing fascist ideology...

and not only in Europe.

[nycbos]

8. Indeed

[Initech]

2. This isn't good.

Why are people turning Nazi? This is fucking insane!

[nycbos]

5. When institutions fail to acknowledge legitimate grievances...

… that people have i.e job losses do to globalization they sadly become easy prey for demagogues.

That is pretty much how every modern dictator has taken power.

[Initech]

7. It's seriously a pattern.

So many countries are falling prey to this new breed of online neo-fascism. The United States certainly did. It's time to find out where this is coming from and stop it hopefully.

[nycbos]

9. Something that is easier said then done.

Improve people's living standards.

[B.See]

10. Or maybe it happens when promoters

of a hate based ideology are allowed to demonize a group of people, wholesale,

as being the cause for said legitimate grievances. As Nazis and fascists are wont to DO.

[nycbos]

11. Sadly "demonizing a group of people wholesale" has been a pattern throughout the history of humanity.

[Haggard Celine]

4. I forget sometimes that fascism is

on the march across the globe. It isn't just here. They aren't a majority, I don't think, but they're a very vocal minority and they con people into thinking they're more powerful than they really are. Right now it's working, but it won't last forever. I just hope they don't start forcing people on to trains and sending them to camps. Hell, I might get sent to one myself. They always go too far, but before they can be taken down, a whole lot of people die.

[blueseas]

12. Is the Far Right

Allowed in Austria and Germany?

Not Nazis?