If you want to see to the future, you always have to keep an eye on the past. As Austria celebrates 30 years of membership in the “European peace project,” it is vital to remember this project’s historical necessity. In the 20th century, nationalist and fascist ideologies culminated in two terrible World Wars. The “EU peace project,” which is historically unique in Europe, is therefore not only a political union, but above all a memorial against war and fascism.
This makes the current rise of nationalist, fascist, and anti-democratic ideologies throughout Europe all the more worrying. In the European Parliament, where several far-right parties have now joined forces to form insidious international nationalist factions, these ideologies are increasingly threatening the European Union’s capacity to act.
The pro-European and anti-fascist consensus is faltering across Europe. This makes it all the more important for pro-European parties to stick together and resist the temptation to copy right-wing rhetoric in order to secure short-term electoral victories. Looking back at history should also serve as a warning. The rise of the Nazis was successful because democratic parties tried to imitate the NSDAP or thought they could keep Hitler in check.
As democratic and pro-European parties, we must especially now uphold our tradition of non-cooperation with right-wing and far-right factions and form a united front. I state clearly: Never again is now. Those who cooperate with anti-European and anti-democratic parties for the sake of power will soon wake up in a Europe without the European Union and democracy.