The Emerging Worldwide Alliance of Parties on the Far Right, Led by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump

Lawrence S. Wittner

Political parties on the far right are today by Nigel Farage, arose from obscurity to enjoying a surge of support and access to become the nation’s third largest party. government power that they have notFocused on drastically reducing immigration experienced since their heyday in the 1930s. and championing nationalism (including pulling Britain out of the EU), UKIP absorbed the This phenomenon is particularly striking in constituency of neo-fascist groups and Europe, where massive migration, sluggish successfully led the struggle for Brexit. In the economic growth, and terrorism have stirred Netherlands, a hotly-contested parliamentary up zealous nationalism and Islamophobia, but it election in March 2017 saw the far right Party resonates through large areas of the world for Freedom emerge as the nation’s second including the Asia-Pacific. In France, the largest political party. Calling for recording the National Front―founded in 1972 by former ethnicity of all Dutch citizens and closing all Nazi collaborators and other rightistsIslamic schools, the party is headed by Geert employing anti-Semitic and racist appeals―has Wilders, who has been tried twice in that tried to soften its image somewhat under the country for inciting hatred and discrimination recent leadership of Marine Le Pen.against Muslims. In Italy, the Northern League Nevertheless, Le Pen’s current campaign for (so-named because it originally pledged to the French presidency, in which she is one of liberate industrious Italian workers in the north two leading candidates facing a runoff, includes from subsidizing lazy Italians in the south), speeches delivered against a screen filled with demands drastic curbs on immigration and immigrants committing crimes, jihadistsremoval of Italy from the Eurozone. Its leader, plotting savage attacks, and European Union Matteo Salvini, contends that Islam is (EU) bureaucrats destroying French jobs, while “incompatible” with Western society. she assails multiculturalism and promises to “restore order.” In Germany, the Alternative for Other European parties of the far right include Germany party, established three years ago, Hungary’s Jobbik (the country’s third-largest won up to 25 percent of the vote in state party, which is vehemently hostile to elections in March 2016. Led by Frauke Petry, immigration, the EU, and homosexuality), the the party calls for sealing the EU’s borders (by Sweden Democrats (now vying for second place shooting migrants, if necessary), forcing the among Sweden’s parties, with roots in the migrants who remain to adopt traditional white supremacist movement and a platform of German culture, and thoroughly rejecting heavily restricting immigration and opposing Islam, including a ban on constructingthe EU), Austria’sFreedom Party (which, mosques. According to the party platform, founded decades ago by Nazis, nearly won two “Islam does not belong in Germany.” recent 2016 presidential elections, vigorously opposes immigration, and proclaims “yes to Elsewhere in Europe, the story is much the families rather than gender madness”), and the same. In Britain, the United KingdomPeople’s Party-Our Slovakia (which supports Independence Party (UKIP), led until recently leaving the EU and the Eurozone and whose

1 15 | 9 | 3 APJ | JF leader has argued that “even one immigrant is the leaders of Alternative for Germany have one too many”). revived words once employed by the Nazis. In January 2017, one leader created a scandal Only one of these rising parties is usually when, addressing a party youth gathering, he referred to as fascist: Greece’s Golden Dawn. criticized Germany’s commemoration of Exploiting Greece’s economic crisis and, Holocaust crimes. That same month, speaking especially, hatred of refugees and otherat a rightwing gathering in Germany, Wilders migrants, Golden Dawn has promoted virulent used the occasion to lament that “blonde” nationalism emphasizing the supposed racial Europeans were becoming “strangers in their superiority of Greeks to emerge as Greece’s own countries.” third-largest party. Golden Dawn spokesman, Elias Kasidiaris, is known for sporting a Asian politicians similarly play on popular fears swastika on his shoulder and for reading and hatreds in their successful efforts to move passages in parliament from the anti-Semitic their countries rightward. In India, the BJP, a hoax, the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion.” The Hindu nationalist party with a past that party also employs a swastika-like flag, as well included violent attacks upon the nation’s as gangs of black-shirted thugs who beat up Muslim minority, grew substantially and immigrants. Party leaders, in fact, are on trial captured control of parliament. Led by Prime for numerous crimes, including violent attacks Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP opposes upon migrants. Muslim immigration, supports a program of social and economic conservatism, and trumpets the slogan “India First.” In the Philippines, where the government had long fought Muslim separatists on the island of Mindanao, Rodrigo Duterte, who gained fame and popularity for his ruthless “war on drugs,” was elected president in May 2016. By the following January, the death toll from his extrajudicial killings reached 6,200 people. Responding to EU criticism of his human rights record, Duterte replied in his characteristic “strongman” style: “Fuck you!” In Japan, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, leading the misnamed Greece’s Golden Dawn Liberal Democratic Party, strengthened the party’s grip on power by repeatedly transmitting rightwing nationalist signals, which appealed to people who rejected Other far right parties in Europe, although criticism of Japan’s role in World War II and striving for greater respectability, also provide possessed an image of a traditional, pure, reminders of 1920s- and 1930s-style fascism. authoritarian nation, uncontaminated by Addressing a Northern League rally, Italy’s Western liberalism. Abe has sought to eliminate bombastic Salvini wore a black shirt while Article 9, the peace provision of Japan’s supporters waved neo-Nazi symbols and photos Constitution while expanding the role of the of Benito Mussolini. In Hungary, Jobbik’s Japanese military in support of US campaigns platform includes a call to “stop hushing up throughout the Asia-Pacific. such taboo issues” as “Zionist Israel’s efforts to dominate Hungary and the world.” Meanwhile, Around the globe, the same trend is in

2 15 | 9 | 3 APJ | JF evidence. In the United States, of course, applauded his war against Georgia and military Donald Trump won a startling victory in his run meddling in Ukraine. When Putin invited for the presidency, employing attacks on representatives of their parties to observe the Mexican migrants, Islamophobia, calls for law referendum to have Russia annex Crimea, they and order, and promises to “make America dutifully attended the event, after which great again.” The Republican Party, moving France’s National Front, Britain’s UKIP, rightward for years before Trump captured the Austria’s Freedom Party, and Italy’s Northern party nomination, quickly embraced this League endorsed its legitimacy. Hailing agenda. In Russia, Vladimir Putin and his Russia’s president as a true patriot, Le Pen United Russia party solidified their grip upon lauded him as a defender of “the Christian power, with Putin telling parliament that social heritage of European civilization.” Farage, and religious conservatism provided the only asked which world leader he most admired, ways to keep Russia and the world from responded without hesitation: Putin! The leader slipping into “chaotic darkness.”Defending of Austria’s Freedom Party,Heinz-Christian “traditional values,” Putin attackedStrache, praised Putin as a “pure democrat.” multiculturalism, aligned himself with the Indeed, Europe’s far right parties blame the EU Orthodox Church, promoted a mystical,and NATO for the crisis in the Ukraine, support authoritarian nationalism, and fostered a lifting EU sanctions on Russia, and back government crackdown on Russia’s Muslims. Russia’s military intervention in Syria. In the European parliament, their representatives Although these parties and leaders of the far vote in favor of Russian interests nearly all the right have some differences, they also share time. some key characteristics. Uninterested in challenging economic and social inequality, In turn, Russia’s president has assisted these they develop their popular appeal by flaunting parties in their struggle for power. In 2014, the extreme nationalism, hostility to immigrants National Front received an 11 million euro loan and minorities, a disdain for multiculturalism, from a Russian bank to help finance its and, in most cases, a call to return tosuccessful municipal election campaign. During “traditional values.” the current French presidential campaign, the National Front applied for a substantially Not surprisingly, then, they usually get on very larger Russian bank loan, Russian media well. Responding to Donald Trump’s election, a outlets are working hard for Le Pen, and Putin spokesman for Golden Dawn praised it as a has received her in Moscow with the kind of victory for “clean ethnic states.” He added: “A buildup usually accorded a head of state. In great global change is starting, which will Germany, Russian media and social networks continue with nationalists prevailing.” In played up a false story of an alleged gang rape January 2017, three of the top stars of the of a 13-year old girl by migrants, prompting rising far right―Le Pen, Petry, andtens of thousands of Germans to take to the Wilders―shared the platform at a rightwing streets in protest and generating startling conference in Germany, at which they promised electoral gains by Alternative for Germany. a new day for Europe. That same month, Abe That party has denied allegations that Russia is paid a very friendly visit to Duterte, spending a providing it with funding, but not the possibility weekend at his Philippines home. that Russia is behind the mysterious appearance of millions of copies of its Europe’s far right parties have beencampaign newspaper and thousands of its particularly enthusiastic about Putin. Unlike election signs. Meanwhile, the youth group of most other European political groupings, they Alternative for Germany has forged an alliance

3 15 | 9 | 3 APJ | JF with Putin’s United Russia party. a senior Russian naval officer announced in a media interview that the Russian Navy stood The story is much the same in other nations. In ready to help the island nation fight terrorism. Austria, the Freedom Party appears to be “The problem here is terrorism,” he said, “and receiving Russian financial assistance through we will show you what we can do.” Reiterating a thinly veiled intermediary, a prominent Moscow’s backing, the Russian ambassador Russian oligarch. Russian cooperation with stated that Russia was willing to provide Austria’s far right became official in December sophisticated arms to Duterte’s government, 2016, when the United Russia party signeda including light weapons, submarines, and cooperation agreement with the Freedom helicopters. According to Filipino government Party. In Britain, the Russian government, officials, their nation was “open to cooperating despite formal statements of neutrality, clearly with the Russian Ministry of Defense through sided with UKIP’s Brexit campaign. Enamored education and training exchanges on counter- of Farage, it provided him with frequent guest terrorism operations.” appearances on Russia Today and, following passage of the Brexit referendum, even offered No one, however, has inspired the rising far him his own show on that state-fundedright more than Donald Trump. As early as network. In the Netherlands, Russia’sMarch 2016, Salvini was enthusiastic about the disinformation and propaganda arms have U.S. business magnate, and in late April he worked to assist Wilders and his Party for traveled to Pennsylvania to participate in a Freedom by trumpeting false news stories. Trump rally. Here he held a “Trump: Make America Great Again” sign and afterward had a The relationship between Duterte and Putin 20-minute meeting with the Republican seems to be exceptionally warm. The two world presidential front-runner that consummated leaders met for the first time at a November their alliance. Farage took part in Trump’s 2016 international conference in Lima, Peru, presidential campaign that August in and Duterte was reportedly “starstruck” by the Mississippi, where he shared the rally platform Russian leader. In conversations withwith him and lauded him before the cheering reporters, the Filipino president went on at crowd. In October 2016,Golden Dawn length about Putin’s smiles and laughter. “It’s endorsed Trump on the floor of the Greek something that you feel,” he said, “because his parliament, hailing the “patriotic wind” laugh is big.” According to Duterte, the Russian sweeping through Europe and North America. president repeatedly invited him to visit Russia, Furthermore, if U.S. intelligence agencies are and Duterte finally promised to do so after correct, Vladimir Putin setRussian covert Putin promised to present him, when he visited, operations in motion to help secure Trump’s with a gun. “I like Putin,” Duterte told the political triumph. press. “We have similarities.” Feeling “like we’ve known each other for so long,” they had Naturally, Trump’s election victory sent a surge immediately become “fast friends.” This of euphoria through the far right. From France, instant camaraderie with Putin contrasted Le Pen lauded it as “a sign of hope,” showing sharply with Duterte’s relationship with U.S. “that people are taking their future back.” President Barack Obama, whom he referred to Farage, addressing a victory party near the on numerous occasions as the “son of a whore.” White House, declared: “Brexit was great, but Trump becoming the president of the USA is Putin, in turn, was quick to offer Russian Brexit plus, plus, plus.” Farage, in fact, was the support for the Duterte regime. In early first British politician to meet with Trump after January, after a four-day visit to the Philippines, the latter’s election. He posed for photographs

4 15 | 9 | 3 APJ | JF with the president-elect in the gold-plated Trump. elevator of Trump Tower. Exhilarated by Trump’s election, the leaders of Alternative for Viewing Trump as a kindred spirit, as well as Germany immediately dispatched thea leader of the world’s most powerful nation, congratulatory telegram to him. At athe parties of the far right are keen on celebration in Munich, a party leader told the cementing an alliance with him. Upon Trump’s cheering crowd that what Trump had done in election, Alternative for Germany informed him the United States, their party would do in that it was a “natural ally” at his side. Farage Germany. “America First is coming towas so eager to court Trump that he met with Deutschland,” he boomed, with the crowd him three times during the first weeks of erupting in thunderous applause. Trump’s presidency. Salvini told the rightwing Breitbart News that his party shared many of the policies of the new administration and was a logical ally. “On many issues,” the Italian leader said, “we see eye-to-eye with President Trump and we look forward to partnering with his administration.” Arguing that “a direct channel with the new American president is crucial,” Salvini promised to quickly establish “direct, serious, non-mediated contact” with the Trump administration.

French presidential candidate Marine Le Asia’s rightwing politicians are just as anxious Pen to become collaborators with Trump. Only a week after Trump’s election victory, Abe flew to the United States to have a personal meeting As might be expected, Trump’s executive with the president-elect at Trump Tower. orders banning refugees and other immigrants Japan’s prime minister thereby became the only from predominantly Muslim nations sent world leader to meet with Trump in the months parties of the far right into ecstasy. In Greece, before his inauguration. In late March 2017, thousands of Golden Dawn supporters surged Duterte told a meeting of Filipinos in Myanmar into the streets, carrying torches and waving that, although he had previously told Obama to their Nazi-like flags. “Well done,” President “go to hell,” “President Trump and I are okay,” Trump, exulted Wilders; “it’s the only way to and “I can assure him also of our friendship stay safe and free.” In a National Front rally and cooperation.” Although Duterte said he brimming with nationalist fervor, Le Pen was not yet ready for a formal military alliance declared that Americans had “kept faith with with the United States, he was prepared to their national interest,” while National Front “give all, whatever it is,” to be allied with the supporters shouted joyously: “This is our Trump administration. country!” Trump’s action was also lauded by the Northern League, Alternative for Germany, But what is the attitude of Trump and his circle and the whole panoply of ultra-right parties. toward these leaders of the far right? Although government officials of most nations Apparently, it is quite favorable. When Trump, condemned Trump’s immigrant ban, India’s during his campaign for the presidency, first prime minister conspicuously refrained from spoke with Salvini, he told him: “Matteo, I hope any criticism, while India’s foreign secretary you become prime minister of Italy soon.” argued that the world should not “demonize” Moreover, Trump, as a fan of Farage and keen

5 15 | 9 | 3 APJ | JF supporter of Brexit, has not only met with other rightwing Asian leaders. According to Farage on numerous occasions, but hasDuterte, Trump―during a December 2016 publicly declared that the rightwing leader phone conversation with him―endorsed the would make a good British ambassador to the Filipino president’s murderous campaign United States. Only two days before the first against drug users and dealers, telling Duterte round of the French presidential election, that he was handling it the “right way.” In Trump offered a tacit endorsement of Le Pen, February 2017, Abe flew to the United States stating that, when it came to “what’s been for another meeting with Trump, this time at going on in France,” she was the “strongest” the White House, where he was greeted by candidate. America’s president with a hug. Then they and their families flew off to Florida, where Trump Trump has also displayed a remarkableand Abe played golf at one of his lavish resorts affection for rightwing politicians in power. while their wives toured the area. Trump Political observers have been struck by announced that the two men had a “great time” Trump’s consistent admiration for Vladimir together, topping it off with a “high-five.” Putin, whom Trump Some of Trump’s aides have been even more has praised for his “strong control” over outspoken in praising parties and leaders of the Russia. “He’s been a leader,” said Trump, “far far right. For years,Steve Bannon―who more than our president has been.” So managed the final portion of Trump’s election intertwined have Trump and his associates campaign and who is now the president’s top been with Russian officialdom that the FBI is political strategist―ran Breitbart, a far right conducting a criminal investigation of collusion news service that he described as “the platform between Trump campaign officials and the for the alt-right.” Under his leadership, Russian government during the U.S. Breitbart worked assiduously to provide presidential election campaign. favorable publicity for UKIP, Alternative for Similarly, Trump has been a strong fan of Germany, the Party for Freedom, and other India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi. During rightwing parties. Farage recalled that “when his presidential campaign, the U.S. corporate Bannon opened up the Breitbart office in tycoon told a Hindu-American gathering that, if London and began to give the arguments that I he was elected, “we would be best friends.” was making . . . a very, very big audience,” this Praising Modi as a very energetic leader with turned the tide for Brexit. Consequently, whom he hoped to work, he predicted that they Farage publicly offered “a personal thank you were “going to have a phenomenal future and tribute to Steve Bannon for having the together.” Modi was one of the first national foresightedness of doing that with Breitbart,” leaders that Trump phoned upon becoming for which he was “extremely grateful.” president. According toa White House statement, Trump said that he considered India And the project continues. In November 2016, a “true friend and partner in addressing after Breitbart announced plans to expand to challenges around the world,” and was looking Berlin and Paris, Reuters―citing sources “close forward to welcoming Modi to the United to Bannon”―reported that “the aim is to help States later in the year. In turn, Modi said that elect right-wing politicians in the two he had had a “warm conversation” with Trump, countries.” and that the pair had “agreed to work closely in the coming days.” Bannon’s alliance with the far right is not merely a marriage of convenience, but is based Trump has also been remarkably cozy with on a deep-seated nationalist ideology and love

6 15 | 9 | 3 APJ | JF of power that he shares with it. “I think strong that culture and demographics are our countries and strong nationalist movements in destiny,” King declared, with admiration. “We countries make strong neighbors,” Bannon told can’t restore our civilization with somebody an audience of conservative religious activists else’s babies.” In September 2016, he posted in 2014. These were “the building blocks that online a photo of Wilders and himself, warning built Western Europe and the United States, of “cultural suicide by demographic and I think it’s what can see us forward.” transformation.”

Sometimes, the Trump administration’s intense Although numerous public officials condemned nationalism seems built on a very unsavory King’s latest racist broadside, White House past. Bannon, who wrote Trump’s “America press secretary Sean Spicer refused to First” inaugural address, is an admirer of a comment on it. Trump was also silent on King’s nationalist rightwinger, Charles Maurras, a remarks. But, back in 2014, when Trump had vicious anti-Semite and supporter of France’s campaigned for the Iowa congressman’s World War II Nazi-dominated regime who, after election, he called King a “special guy, a smart the war, was sentenced to life imprisonment as person, with really the right views on almost a collaborator. Sebastian Gorka, a Hungarian everything.” With their ideologies so in sync, immigrant who worked for Bannon at Breitbart said Trump, “we don’t have to compare notes.” and, like Bannon, is now a White House advisor, was recently named by officers of a In this fashion, then, political forces around the quasi-Nazi Hungarian nationalist group as a world have been drawing together in recent sworn member of their organization. Although years into a far right international. Although its Gorka denied this allegation, he did wear its future remains uncertain, especially if Putin medal to a Trump inaugural ball and did add a and Trump come to a parting of the ways, it “v” middle initial to his name, a practice that certainly has plenty of political momentum at comports with the group’s traditions. present. “Long live Trump, long live Putin, long live Le Pen, and long live the League,” exulted Other Republican officeholders have also the Northern League’s Salvini in early 2017. displayed an affinity with Europe’s far right “Finally, we have an international alliance.” politics. In March 2017, U.S. Representative Steve King publicly praised Geert Wilders, who, This is an expanded version of an article that in his latest anti-immigrant tirade, had referred was originally published by the History News to Moroccans as “scum.” “Wilders understands Network.

Lawrence Wittner is Professor of History Emeritus at SUNY/Albany and the author of the award-winning scholarly trilogy, The Struggle Against the Bomb and its abbreviated version, Confronting the Bomb — both published by Stanford University Press.