Right-wing parties are selling out across Europe, too

As in the US, formerly mainstream conservative politicians are becoming dangerously comfortable with breaches of democratic norms

Fratelli d'Italia party leader, Giorgia Meloni, opposes gay marriage and abortion rights for women. Picture: Riccardo Dalle Luche / ANSA / AFP

On September 1 in Philadelphia, US President Joe Biden warned Americans against authoritarian-minded Republicans. 

Strangely, a great many liberals as well as conservatives criticized Biden for being “divisive”. His speech actually came too late: Biden should have inaugurated his presidency with a clear description of the global threats to democracy.