“P“I think we must pay attention in the United Kingdom to the challenge of the far right, populism and nationalism,” said Keir Starmer, speaking to journalists after a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“There are several reasons for my concern: on the one hand, what is happening in the United Kingdom and, on the other hand, what is happening in other European countries, namely in France and Germany,” added the British leader, who came to power in early July, after the victory of the Labour Party in the legislative elections.
The recent British elections, which turned the page on 14 years of Conservative power, were also marked by the success of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK (anti-immigration and Eurosceptic party), which obtained 14% of the vote, one of the best scores for a far-right party in the history of the United Kingdom.
The country also faced racist and Islamophobic riots in dozens of cities in late July and early August, after the deaths of three girls, one of them of Portuguese descent, in Southport, northwest England, in an attack with a knife.
Rumors about the suspect, falsely presented as a Muslim asylum seeker, were spread by far-right social media accounts, sparking violent anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations in the streets in the days following the attack. Protesters attacked hotels where asylum seekers were staying.
In Germany, the far-right AfD party is well positioned to make significant gains in Sunday’s two regional elections, which promise to be disastrous for Olaf Scholz.
France, where the far right has been on the rise for years, has been in a political impasse since the legislative elections at the beginning of July, governed by an executive that resigned more than 40 days ago, something not seen since the end of the Second World War worldwide.
Keir Starmer will be received on Thursday by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“I think the challenge must be taken up by democracy and progressives,” said the head of the British government, adding that he wants to discuss the matter with “progressive parties.”
Political observers attributed Reform UK’s advance to a discontent with politics that has deepened with the UK’s severe spending power crisis, record levels of regular and irregular immigration and the fallout from Brexit.
“Getting results and honesty are the best ways to confront (…) populism and nationalism”, stressed Keir Starmer.
Scholz and Starmer also announced today in Berlin that the two governments will work on a bilateral treaty to deepen relations between the two countries.
Read Also: Scholz and Starmer announce treaty to ‘reset’ bilateral relations
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Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/2622917/starmer-insta-aliados-a-enfrentarem-juntos-crescimento-da-extrema-direita
