COUNTERING THE ILLIBERAL DRIFT IN EUROPE: ASSESSING REGIONAL POLITICS AND CITIZEN ACTION
Radical rightwing nationalist parties have become ‘normalized’ actors in parliaments across Europe, promoting Eurosceptic, xenophobic and antidemocratic policies. They do not just impact national politics with their often antisemitic, anti-immigrant, anti-gender, and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. Cities and regional politics across Europe are affected as well and with often far more direct consequences for citizens. At the same time, the regional and local level provides the most direct access for engaged citizens who want to counter radical rightwing actors in their communities and preserve or expand inclusion and equality. Our Task Force will explore strategies by institutions and citizens to counter the illiberal drift at local and regional levels. We will draft ‘best practices’ that European cities and regions might adopt in areas such as education, communication and media, migration, diversity, and inclusion.