Friends of the Earth Europe does not to engage with MEPs and other far-right politicians. Here’s why.
As a result of recent European and national elections, far-right political groups such as the Europe of Sovereign Nations, Patriots for Europe groups have gained institutional space at European level. However, for Friends of the Earth Europe, with our traditionally strong lens on social and global justice, internationalist solidarity and anti-oppression it is crystal clear that they do not provide legitimate solutions to the problems our societies are facing. On the contrary, their political demands could worsen the multiple crises our world faces today.
Far-right parties embody nationalist, racist, sexist, LGBTIQ+phobic, colonial, authoritarian and populist views which we refuse to legitimise or normalise. With our non-engagement policy FoEE contributes to isolating these views.
Moreover, these parties are actively trying to undermine democracy which reduces the space to act and interact for civil society as a whole, beyond the specific issues each organisation is working on.
FoEE is concerned about the increasing criminalisation of civil society organisations and actors that these parties promote and the discriminatory policies they want to advance. We stand in solidarity with the people most attacked by far-right parties and individuals.
We are also concerned by the normalisation of the far-right in the EU institutions and media. This is why we feel important to reaffirm our fight against fascism and all shades of it.
We will keep working towards environmental and social change and the strengthening of democracy in the coming years – together with our allies. Together, we will keep fighting for social, economic, racial, gender, and environmental justice and a world free from all forms of domination and exploitation.
