EU Scream

A new generation of far-right Europeans is deploying slick techniques to avoid being called neo-Nazis. David Ibsen, the executive director of the Counter Extremism Project, says far-right groups in France are among those to have borrowed heavily from a playbook developed in the United States. First, James and Tom discuss Marine le Pen’s refusal to undergo a psychiatric test. If the leader of the French far-right is a little crazy, what kind of crazy is she?

"L.T.H. (AA's Refix)" by Abstract Audio is licensed under BY CC 3.0

"Muscovite No. 9" is played by Lara Natale

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James and Tom talk about fighting incivility with incivility after an EU minister slaps down Italy’s Matteo Salvini for migrant-bashing. Respect. Far-right activist Lauren Southern tells her half-million followers she helped save Europe from refugees. James unpacks Southern’s claims — and her antics on the Mediterranean — with Karen Mets of Save the Children. Far-right Internet trolls have used a photograph of Ukrainian human rights campaigner Lyudmyla Kozlovska to give the false impression Christine Blasey Ford met George Soros. Kozlovska shares her strange tale, which offers another glimpse into post-truth politics.

"Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125" by Papalin is licensed under CC BY 3.0

"They're coming" by Zapac is licensed under CC BY 3.0 license

"Muscovite No. 9" is played by Lara Natale 

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James talks to a psychologist in Germany confronting one of the most startling strategies used by the far-right: homonationalism. The concept of homonationalism was developed by Jasbir Puar, a professor at Rutgers. It's often used to describe how far-right parties like the Alternative for Germany ally with LGBT community to vilify Muslim immigrants. Homonationalism is a critical lens for analysing the hypocrisy of far-right politicians like Beatrix von Storch and Nicolaus Fest who pledge to protect homosexuals from Muslims while seeking to curtail homosexual rights. First, Tom and James talk about populism and pop music. Kanye West, Lorde and Taylor Swift are among stars who’ve plunged into politics. Plus, who knew Mick Jagger spoke Polish?

At EU Scream we do all we can to protect the safety of our interviews. It's with that in mind that we have removed the sound file for this episode following a request from one of the participants. For access to this episode please contact EU Scream. 

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James is in Amsterdam to pick the brains of Dutchman Frits Bolkestein, a giant of conservative liberalism. Bolkestein reflects on whether his effort to discredit multiculturalism helped lay the ground for populist firebrands like Viktor Orban and Geert Wilders. Bolkestein says he was merely responding to the concerns of citizens "in the pub and in the church." Bolkestein also says it’s time for Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, to take a top European job. In post-match analysis, Tom laments Bolkestein’s failure to change stance on cultural diversity. First, James and Tom focus on a Flemish extremist student association, Schild & Vrienden, and the links some its members have with the N-VA, the nationalist party in the Belgian governing coalition. 

"Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125" by Papalin is licensed under CC BY 3.0

"Sky Scraper" by Geographer is licensed under CC BY 4.0 

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