Right-wing extremism is a problem with pan-European dimensions. In
2011, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (Friedrich Ebert Foundation) released
a study that compared group-focused enmities in eight European countries.
The study revealed that approximately half of all respondents
thought that their countries had too many immigrants. About a third
believed in the existence of a natural hierarchy among differing ethnic
groups. In the sample from Poland, statements conveying secondary
anti-Semitism met with the almost 70 % approval.1
How widespread and deeply-imbedded are far-right ideologies and
organizations in Europe? How have right-wing extremist and populist
parties and movements fared? What are their historical roots, and what
is the basis of their continuing attraction?