Topic: Freedom Party

Denmark's election a litmus test for Europe's far-right politics

Denmark's election Thursday is the first national poll in northern Europe to gauge appeal for radical politics since the Norway killings carried out by far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik.

Norway attacks put spotlight on Europe's right-wing parties. Who are they?

Last week's attacks in Norway put Western Europe's far right in the spotlight, despite condemnation of Anders Behring Breivik's actions. These parties share some of the anti-immigrant and anti-Islam opinions that spurred Mr. Breivik.

France's burqa ban: 5 ways Europe is targeting Islam

France issued its first ticket to a woman wearing an Islamic veil on Monday, the day a national ban on face coverings in public took effect. The new law is among a number of legal and political moves across Europe targeting Islam amid a growing debate over multiculturalism. Here are five recent actions taken regarding Islam in the public sphere.

Italy's Silvio Berlusconi may face greatest challenge yet with teen prostitution inquiry

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was today notified of the inquiry, a day after a court overruled a law that allowed him immunity from criminal prosecution.

Nine men charged with planning terrorist attack in the UK

Nine men were charged by the British authorities with planning a terrorist bombing, the latest in a spate of alleged European plots disrupted before they were carried out.

Why Italy's government may be on the brink of collapse

In the wake of recent scandals, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces an increasing number of political attacks. His government may soon not have enough parliamentary support to survive.

Germany's Angela Merkel: Multiculturalism has 'utterly failed'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's comments come just days after a study by a German think tank found that more than 30 percent of people believed Germany was 'overrun by foreigners.'

Why 13 percent of Germans would welcome a 'Führer'

A new survey signals that Germany, where the term 'Führer,' or leader, is explicitly linked to Adolf Hitler, is not immune from the far-right sentiments that are spreading across Europe.

In Italy, local politics appears to drive latest round of Roma Gypsy expulsions

Milan, Rome, and Naples have recently dismantled Roma Gypsy camps, but Italy may avoid EU sanctions since the expulsions are being carried out at the municipal level.

Geert Wilders hate speech trial to resume in Netherlands

The trial of far-right politician Geert Wilders, charged with inciting hatred against Muslims, will continue Wednesday in the Netherlands. His lawyer caused a delay, saying the judge was biased.

Catholic Church backs Muslim struggle to build Milan's first mosque

While New York frets over the construction of an Islamic cultural center and mosque near ground zero, Milan is pushing back against construction of its first mosque. Local Muslims have found an unlikely ally in the Catholic Church.

Berlusconi attacker found unfit for trial

Berlusconi attacker: The man who hurled a statuette at Premier Silvio Berlusconi, leaving him with a broken nose and two broken teeth, is not fit to stand trial.

Dutch voters boost far-right party of Geert Wilders

Spurred by anxiety over immigration, Islam, and the economy, Dutch voters put the center-right Liberals in the lead in national elections, and gave a strong boost to Geert Wilders's Freedom Party, which proposes banning the Koran and the building of new mosques.

Voters give far right a drubbing in Austria presidential election

The Austria presidential election was a landslide victory for incumbent Heinz Fischer and saw the far right poll worse than expected, sending a message that its appeal is dimming, analysts say.

Austria election: Voters set to reelect Heinz Fischer

President Heinz Fischer is expected to win Sunday's Austria election handily, despite a challenge from far-right opponent Barbara Rosenkranz.

An Afghanistan refugee camp that's state-of-the-art

Some 400 Afghans live in Traiskirchen, a refugee camp outside Vienna, Austria. It looks more like an Ivy League campus than a center that's housed more than 1 million refugees over the past 50 years.

Italy's Silvio Berlusconi changes his party's tune – literally

Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi changed the anthem of his political party, which sang his individual praises, in an effort to make himself appear more of a team player and uniter.

Will Italy's sympathy for Berlusconi allow him to avoid corruption trials?

In Italy, sympathy for embattled Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after a Dec. 13 attack could prove a useful means of dividing the opposition, rebuilding his popularity, and manipulating the judicial system.

Berlusconi attack reminds Italians of 'Years of Lead'

The attack that broke Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's nose and teeth Sunday is causing Italians to worry about a return to political violence not seen since the 1970s when extremist groups attacked each other and the state.

European Parliament vote: Extreme right poised to gain ground

Britain's Gordon Brown could fall, while Dutch populist Geert Wilders's anti-Islam stand finds new appeal.

World

'Fitna': Dutch leader's anti-Islam film brings strife

Far-right politician Geert Wilders's latest attempt to air the controversial video has been delayed by US-based website host Network Solutions.