TWO ghosts haunted a “counter-summit” of Europe’s nationalist leaders in the German city of Koblenz on January 21st: Angela Merkel and Donald Trump. To the 1,000-odd visitors in attendance, most of them supporters of the anti-establishment Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Mrs Merkel epitomised everything that is rotten in Europe: out of touch, elitist and besotted with immigrants. (Chants of “Merkel must go!” punctuated the day’s speeches.) The energy of Mr Trump’s inauguration the previous day, by contrast, crackled through the proceedings. “Last year the wind began to turn,” said Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Freedom Party. “It brought us the victory of Trump!” The crowd cheered and whooped—for if America, why not Europe?
Koblenz brought together the leaders of populist, nationalist parties from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and elsewhere under the banner of the “Europe of Nations and Freedom,” their collective grouping in the European Parliament. That in itself was unusual: feuds and personality clashes have long marred attempts by these groups to find common cause. But although parties like...Continue reading
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