Thursday

30th Nov 2023

European neo-Nazis hold meeting in Russia

Meps from Greece’s neo-Nazi Golden Dawn and Udo Voigt from the German neo-Nazi NPD were among the participants at the pro-Kremlin International Conservative Forum in St. Petersburg.

According to the forum’s website, some 400 people from 15 different countries gathered on Sunday (22 March) to back a resolution on scrapping EU sanctions against Russia and protecting “Christian traditions”.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

  • The International Conservative Russian Forum was held in St Petersburg (Photo: Panoramas)

Other participants included nationalist parties from Belgium (Euro-Rus), Bulgaria (Ataka), Denmark (The Danes), Italy (New Force), Spain (National Democracy), Sweden (Party of the Swedes) and the UK (British National Party).

The resolution, while supporting Russia’s annexation of the Crimea, asks the USA and its allies to “stop the creation puppet antinational regimes in independent countries.”

Aleksandr Koffmann, the "foreign minister" of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic” was reportedly also present.

Among a list of points of support for Russia and broad criticism against the EU, it adds:

“We are, Conservative forces, represented by expert community, based on the latest scientific data of the population, demographic capacities of our countries in these processes, we won't be able to provide our people the worthy and good future.”

It describes Nato as “an instrument of dictatorship of military strength”.

The forum describes itself as a “scientific conference” and was organised by the “Russian National Cultural Center - People's House.”

According to Bulgarian media outlet Novinite, the event organiser includes Russia’s Rodina party.

Formed in 2003, the party lists Russia’s Deputy PM Sergey Rogozin as a member.

EU elections may strengthen Putin in Europe

Far-right parties are set to do well in next month's elections to the European Parliament, a fact that has thrown a spotlight on their links with the Kremlin.

Interview

Why populism appeals to less brainy EU voters

People who voted for Brexit tended to be less clever, research shows, in findings that also shed light on the appeal of EU populists, such as Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who won elections this week.

Opinion

The EU's 'no added sugars' fruit-juice label sleight-of-hand

The Food Information to Consumers package would have finally regulated the health or nutrition claims companies make on their products, claims like "heart-healthy" "30-percent less fat" or "no added sugar". Legislation on these claims is now 15 years overdue.

Column

How centre-right conservatives capitulate to the far-right

Many conservatives in Europe seem to have forgotten the lesson of 1930s Germany. They sacrifice their principles on the altar of the polls and all-too-often try to overtake rightwing radicals on their own pet subjects like security or migration.

Latest News

  1. EU offers Turkey upgrade, as Sweden nears Nato entry
  2. Russia loses seat on board of chemical weapons watchdog
  3. Finland's closure of Russia border likely violates asylum law
  4. The EU's 'no added sugars' fruit-juice label sleight-of-hand
  5. EU belittles Russia's Lavrov on way to Skopje talks
  6. Member states stall on EU ban on forced-labour products
  7. EU calls for increased fuel supplies into Gaza
  8. People-smuggling profits at historic high, EU concedes

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  2. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?
  3. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  4. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries
  5. European Citizen's InitiativeThe European Commission launches the ‘ImagineEU’ competition for secondary school students in the EU.
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us