Europe's Liberal Soul Is Dying — And We're All to Blame

From Optimism to Despair

Not all that long ago, Europe was a beacon of liberal idealism. One memoir recalls it as an era "comfortably saturated with confidence in the unfailing and binding power of tolerance and conciliation". The economic system seemed obviously preferable to barbarous alternatives. People honestly believed that the divergencies and the boundaries between nations and sects would gradually melt away into a common humanity.

Those words could describe the spirit of globalisation at the turn of the millennium. They were written in the 1930s by Stefan Zweig, reflecting on the optimism of late 19th-century Vienna from the perspective of a Jewish émigré whose world had been destroyed by murderous nationalism. Zweig took his own life in 1942. He never saw fascism defeated. He couldn't have imagined a renaissance of liberalism in the second half of the 20th century so complete as to attain a pitch of complacency rivalling the one he remembered from his childhood.

The AfD's Betrayal

Now momentum is with the nationalists again. Victory for the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in the region of Saxony-Anhalt over the weekend is not the biggest electoral prize won by a far-right party in Europe in recent years, but it is one of the most shocking because it is Germany. No country had more to learn from history if it wanted to immunise its democracy against extremism. None pursued a more systematic programme of inoculation.

The word for it is Vergangenheitsbewältigung – hard to say and tricky to translate, meaning roughly coming to terms with a shameful past. There is no excuse of ignorance about the AfD's rise. It is a knowing repudiation of atonement. The party flirts with Nazi imagery and embraces racist definitions of nationhood, seeking to deport Germans whose credentials it sees as biologically improper.

When Freedom Becomes a Luxury

What makes this even more chilling is how openly the AfD has embraced authoritarianism while maintaining its veneer of legitimacy. This isn't just about ideology — it's about the erosion of norms and institutions that protect our freedoms. In France, Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), doesn't want to jeopardise her mainstream credentials by affinity with the AfD. But in the United States, Elon Musk has become a fan, deploying his control of X to boost the party's campaign messages.

It's a global phenomenon — far-right movements are no longer just political oddities, they're becoming a new kind of force in international politics. In Britain, Nigel Farage once had a reputation for being unapologetically bold, but now he's caught between two worlds. He's trying to maintain his relevance while avoiding association with extremist groups like the AfD, which he describes as a "mixed bag" — but his admiration for Putin suggests he's already lost the plot.

Globalization and Its Discontents

The rise of these movements isn't just an ideological crisis — it's a systemic failure. The same economic forces that once promised prosperity are now breeding resentment, anger, and desperation among ordinary citizens. This is where populism thrives: when people feel left behind, ignored, and abandoned by the very institutions they depend on.

But what makes this situation even more ominous is how the far right has learned to weaponize social media. In an age where fake news spreads faster than the truth, these movements have mastered the art of manipulation. They don't just misinform — they reframe reality itself. And with global influencers like Elon Musk and figures from Trump's inner circle lending their platforms, the influence grows exponentially.

The Danger of Proximity to Power

Farage's recent comments about AfD support for Vladimir Putin should not be taken lightly. If Farage can't see the danger in aligning himself with such authoritarian forces, then perhaps he has already lost sight of what makes a leader worthy of public trust.

Consider Nathan Gill, former leader of Reform UK in Wales, who is serving a prison sentence for accepting bribes to make pro-Russian speeches. If we're not careful, we may see more like him — politicians who have no qualms about selling out to foreign powers in exchange for personal gain or influence.

Can Europe Save Itself?

There is still hope, but it must be earned. The essence of far-right ideology is inherently anti-democratic, anti-pluralist, and self-serving. Nationalists do not form a monolithic bloc — they are divided by competing egos and interests. That means there's room for resistance.

Yet we must act now before the abyss claims us completely. The “binding power of tolerance and conciliation” was not defeated in the 20th century and it won't be suffocated in this one either. We see the abyss — we can pass without plunging to the bottom.

"We never fall into the same abyss twice," writes Éric Vuillard, the French novelist. "But we fall in the same way, in a mixture of ridicule and dread."

Europe's liberal soul is fading, not through force or revolution, but through the quiet resignation of those who once stood for something better. If we do nothing, if we stay silent, we may end up living in a world where freedom is no longer an option — only a memory.

The Cost of Inaction

Every day that passes without strong action from leaders and institutions, the far-right gains more traction. The consequences are not just political — they're deeply personal. Families torn apart by misinformation, communities fractured by hate, and entire nations left wondering if democracy is still possible.

We must not allow our children to inherit a world where tolerance is a relic of the past and extremism is accepted as normal. Our democracy isn't just about elections or laws — it's about preserving what we hold sacred: truth, justice, and human dignity.

Our Responsibility

This moment in history demands more than just outrage — it requires us to confront the uncomfortable truth that many of us have grown complacent with the status quo. We must not wait for others to save us. We are the guardians of this democracy, and we must stand up now, before it's too late.