(European) Socialists call for isolation of extremist parties

[pampango]

Source: EurActive.com

The Party of European Socialists (PES) called last week (15 October) on all political parties to agree to a proposed code of conduct, which prohibits electoral alliances with any party from inciting ethnic prejudices and racial hatred. The PES move is largely seen as a response to the recent formation of a Dutch minority government which has the implicit backing of Geert Wilders' right-wing populist party PVV.

Recent comments by French centre-right politicians on the Roma question, by Italian leaders who have come to their aid, by German regional leaders on the very idea of immigration and the acceptance of extremist support for a ruling coalition in the Netherlands have only exacerbated the situation, the statement reads.

The PES calls for condemnation of all racist, xenophobic, discriminatory or nationalistic statements or actions and warns against joining ruling coalitions or electoral alliances with parties that incite ethnic prejudices and racial hatred at European or national level. This more general appeal could be seen as a reproach of recent policies by the French authorities to expel Roma to their native Bulgaria and Romania.

But another knowledgeable source said the Socialists feared a scenario in which the centre-right party of a major EU country would enter into a coalition with a far-right force. Such a move would at first constitute a shock, but then open the door for similar alliances in many EU countries and change the face of Europe, the source said.

Read more: http://www.euractiv.com/en/elections/socialists-call-isolation-extremist-parties-news-498865

[catbyte]

1. Aren't Socialists "extremists"?!?

:hide:

:rofl:

[L.Torsalo]

3. NO.

Socialists are very much in the mainstream. Your caveat is naive and polemical. Socialism is the most common form of government on the planet. Do some research and you will see that most of Europe, China, Southeast Asia, the Indian (sub)continent, Latin America are governed by socialists.

[Wednesdays]

4. Psst...I think catbyte's post was sarcastic and faceteous

Just a hunch. :shrug:

[DBoon]

5. only to USAians...

Who have a major political party that has been basing its support on racial and ethnic hatred since Richard Nixon

[xchrom]

2. Recommend

[fascisthunter]

6. GOOD! (nt)

[felix_numinous]

7. Thank you for posting this article and link

racist and extremist groups are a global threat and it is interesting to read how this social challenge is being met overseas.