The Light Still Flickers: Why Europe Must Rediscover Its Fighting Spirit

Against the populist darkness threatening democracy, Europeans must remember that enlightenment principles require active defence—and the courage to confront bullies.

https://www.socialeurope.eu/the-light-still-flickers-why-europe-must-rediscover-its-fighting-spirit



Some good news, it seems, from the Netherlands. The apparently irresistible rise of the populist far right has been resisted. Sure, the optimism should not be overdone. There was still, collectively, a pretty strong showing by far-right parties in the recent Dutch election. The hopes of Geert Wilders’ PVV may have been denied, but it could take several weeks for Rob Jetten, leader of the centre-left D66 party, to establish a new government based on his very narrow victory.

Followed by impressive election results for the Democrats in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City, it might be possible to believe that the cause of progress has, like a struggling old family car, been jump started. But this is the point. It will take courage to fight back against the raucous and hubristic voices heard on the far right. And that fight has to be sustained. Defeatism is self-perpetuating. Bullies must be confronted. They are not as brave or as scary as they pretend to be.

It should not be necessary for Europeans to be reminded of the Enlightenment principles which they themselves gave to the world. But, as governments struggle to contain populist forces, perhaps it is necessary. Those truths used to be self-evident. Facts can be established and agreed upon. Lying and cheating are bad. Criminals should not prosper. They should, in fact, be caught and punished. Tyrants should be overthrown and tyranny must crumble. Justice is within reach.

But in 2025 apparently we cannot be so confident about these truths. The bad guys – some of them, anyway – are winning, for now. They act with impunity. Bullying is working. Lies are not challenged. Just look at the resignations at the top of the BBC, called for by the Trump machine and his useful, idiotic cheerleaders in the UK. For every chink of light, there is another flood of darkness just about to descend.

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