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Over the last decades, Europe has presented itself to the world as the continent of peace, progress, and democracy after the horrors of the 20th century. However, beneath that facade of stability, political movements are resurfacing that evoke the worst of our past: fascism and a radical conservatism is taking root with force, especially among the youth.
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The appeal of todayβs far right lies in its ability to simplify complex problems and offer immediate answers. Economic crises, immigration, inequality, and lack of trust in institutions are instrumentalized by populist leaders who build a narrative filled with fear and resentment. Youth, who should be the most critical, curious, and open-minded generation, are falling into this mirage. Social networks have amplified radical discourses that, with short, emotional, and hate-filled messages, displace critical thinking and replace debate with propaganda.
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Paradoxically, while these movements self-proclaim as βdefenders of freedom of speech,β what they promote is selective censorship. It is not a society that is freer, but one in which any opinion that does not conform to their dogmas is immediately singled out, ridiculed, or silenced. We live in an era where dissenting from the far-right discourse not only implies being attacked online, but also suffering repercussions in workplaces, schools, or communities. We have gone from an environment that valued critical thinking, research, and study, to a reality where submission to a party or movement is imposed, rewarding obedience and punishing dissent.
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One of the most worrying characteristics of this rebirth of European fascism is the mediocrity of its representatives. Many of them lack academic preparation, intellectual formation, or the ethical grounding necessary to lead a country. They present themselves as βordinary people,β βclose to the people,β when in reality their lack of competence makes them dangerous instruments, incapable of handling the political, economic, and social complexity of our societies. The result is a leadership that does not provide solutions, but fosters division, confrontation, and regression in social and human rights.
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In several European countries, far-right parties have ceased to be marginal minorities and have become political forces with real power. The most alarming aspect is that their rise is being normalized: they are invited to debates, integrated into coalition governments, and their discourse is presented as just another political option, instead of recognizing that their roots collide head-on with democratic values. The danger lies not only in their immediate policies but also in the cultural effect they generate: legitimizing hate, discrimination, and the erosion of human rights as acceptable parts of political debate.
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The growth of these movements should not be a source of pride or nationalist celebration. On the contrary, it should awaken fear and reflection. If Europe, which suffered the disaster of fascism firsthand, flirts once again with these ideologies, it means we have learned nothing from our history. That parties built on intolerance and the denial of human rights gain political weight is not a symptom of democratic strength, but of weakness. It is not progress, it is decline.
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It is important to remember that loving a country does not mean giving a blank check to far-right parties that proclaim themselves as the only defenders of the homeland. Genuine patriotism is expressed by working for collective well-being, strengthening education, guaranteeing social justice, defending freedoms, and protecting the rights of all people who live in that territory. Voting for an extremist party does not automatically make anyone a patriot; on the contrary, it can be an act that weakens social cohesion and puts at risk the democratic values that truly allow a country to move forward. Confusing exclusionary nationalism with patriotism is to accept a reduced and dangerous vision of love for oneβs homeland.
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The rebirth of far-right ideology in Europe has also brought with it an alarming intensification of racism, xenophobia, and hatred towards everything that represents diversity. Anti-immigrant movements, fueled by fearmongering and propaganda, depict human beings fleeing wars, poverty, or persecution as invaders, stripping them of their dignity and reducing them to mere political pawns. Alongside this, homophobia and attacks against the LGBTQ+ community have resurfaced as central pillars of these extremist agendas, presenting equality and human rights as threats rather than achievements. This narrative not only undermines social cohesion but spreads a poisonous message: that humanity itself must be divided, categorized, and controlled according to exclusionary standards. Such ideals are not only contrary to modern democratic values but represent a regression to the darkest chapters of our history, where hatred was institutionalized and violence against minorities was normalized.
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What is perhaps most disheartening is to witness how younger generations, instead of embodying the spirit of empathy, curiosity, and resilience, are increasingly permeated by resentment and hatred. Online arguments over trivialities escalate into real conflicts, while genuine dialogue and mutual understanding are pushed aside. The very essence of empathyβthe ability to place oneself in anotherβs shoesβis being lost, replaced by blind loyalty to ideologies that demand obedience rather than thought. Logic, research, and the will to question are abandoned in favor of slogans and simplistic answers. It is profoundly sad to realize that all those who once fought for human rights, who were silenced by fascist dictatorships, who died in peaceful protests brutally repressed by authorities, or who perished in genocides rooted in authoritarian regimes and ultraright ideologies, may have sacrificed their lives in vain. Society no longer rises to defend its freedoms; instead, it submits to the very ideals against which so many once fought and died. This betrayal of memory is not just a tragedyβit is a dangerous surrender of everything humanity has struggled to build.
