EU Strategies to Counteract Right-Wing Extremism
During Germany's EU Council Presidency, which ran from July 1 to December 31, 2020, efforts were made towards improving a EU-wide situation report on terrorism and progressing towards a uniform definition of right-wing extremism and terrorism. However, the sources available do not directly detail a finalized uniform definition or a dedicated EU-wide report specifically initiated or concluded strictly within this period.
Chancellor Angela Merkel had declared the fight against right-wing extremism a top priority in March. Yet, during the EU Council Presidency, the German government did not provide a comprehensive overview of violent right-wing extremism within the European Union.
FDP's interior policy spokesman, Benjamin Strasser, criticized that combating right-wing extremism was not a priority in Germany's EU Council presidency program. He demanded that Merkel make the fight against right-wing extremism a priority for the presidency. Strasser stated that a well-organized and networked right-wing extremist scene across Europe urgently needs a European response.
The situation report on violent right-wing extremism within the EU is still not finalized. There is a lack of situation report and a uniform definition of violent right-wing extremism within the EU, as well as "probably still extremely differing views on the urgency of the issue".
The EU has long prioritized counter-terrorism measures, focusing on jihadist terrorism, illegal arms trafficking, violent extremism online, and financing terrorism. The EU institutions, including Europol, work actively to support Member States and centralize information on various forms of terrorism, including violent right-wing extremism.
Right-wing extremism and terrorism are recognized as significant threats in Europe. Instances of right-wing violence have been documented across several EU countries, showing persistence of white supremacy-inspired terrorism and neo-Nazi linked violent groups.
Recent reports from sources such as Europol’s EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TE-SAT) and the European Banking Authority (EBA) confirm the continuing and evolving threat of right-wing terrorism in the EU, including related financing risks, especially noting increases in violent right-wing extremism tied to geopolitical changes and refugee influxes.
While multiple EU reports and expert analyses underline progress in tackling terrorism broadly, specific progress on a uniform legal or operational definition for "right-wing extremism and terrorism" at the EU-wide level under Germany's Presidency is not explicitly reported in the sources. Instead, these efforts are part of ongoing EU policy work that includes enhanced cooperation, data collection, and harmonization efforts over several years.
It is worth noting that the Finnish EU Council presidency initiated an analysis of violent right-wing extremism within the EU last fall. This analysis may contribute to the development of a uniform definition and a more coordinated approach to combating right-wing extremism across the EU.
In summary, Germany’s 2020 EU Council Presidency saw continued focus on terrorism threats including violent right-wing extremism, with actions supporting better information sharing and counter-terrorism coordination. The establishment of a fully uniform EU-wide definition of right-wing extremism and terrorism remained a work in progress rather than a concluded achievement during that semester. Progress is reported in broader counter-terrorism measures, financial risk management, and situational awareness, with ongoing incorporation of right-wing extremist threats into EU security frameworks.
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