Panel Discussion “Youth, Democracy, and Right-Wing Extremism”

February 18, 2024, St. Gilgen am Wolfgangsee

During the annual seminar of the Green Student Organization “Verde,” a panel discussion on the far-right tendencies in Austria and other European countries took place. Péter Techet, research associate at the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), participated in the discussion. Other participants were Lena Schilling, the lead candidate for the Austrian Greens in the European Parliament elections, Barbara Neßler, member of the Austrian National Council for the Greens, and Paul Schmidt, chairman of the Austrian Society for European Politics.

Techet analysed the situation in several countries, such as Germany, Italy, and Hungary, as well as the differences between the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). He also discussed whether and how far-right parties could network after the European Parliament elections. Lena Schilling presented the Green strategy for the next European Parliament, Barbara Neßler spoke about the right-wing tendencies in Austrian politics, and Paul Schmidt emphasized the importance of the European Parliament elections. Subsequently, the participants, i.e. members of “Verde,” could also ask questions.