When centre-right politicians adopt the far-right’s language and policies,the only victory is for the hardliners. We must fight racists, not imitate themIn the Netherlands, or the defeat of Geert Wilders’ anti-EU,anti-immigration, anti-Islam Freedom party is a pyrrhic victory. The cost of this victory was that the country’s centre-right party appropriated the rhetoric of Wilders to beat him. price Rutte, and who leads the VVD party,which won the largest number of seats in the election, talked of “something incorrect with our country” and claimed “the silent majority” would no longer tolerate immigrants who come and “abuse our freedom. Related: The Guardian view on Geert Wilders’ defeat: good news, or to be treated with caution | Editorial whether recent history is any guide,trying to disregard rightwing populists and the issues they raise does not workContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com