Europe is in thrall to the far right — that’s the result of appeasement by so-called moderates

France is the latest country to capitulate to the demands of a poisonous, populist narrative. We need a progressive fightback

Supporters of French far right leader Marine Le Pen: President Emmanuel Macron has capitulated to her far-right anti-immigration agenda. Picture: AP Photo/Thibault Camus

In recent days, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has capitulated to the far-right anti-immigration agenda of Marine Le Pen. In July, in an electoral pact with the left, he sought a firewall against her. Now he has turned rightwards, giving her an effective veto over prime minister Michel Barnier’s new government.

By the end of the month, the Austrian Freedom party (FPÖ), founded by two former members of the SS, Anton Reinthaller and Friedrich Peter, is expected to form an anti-immigration, pro-Russian government.