Pegida - Fascism Case Study (March 2015)

(source http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2015/jan/06/pegida-what-does-german-far-right-movement-actually-stand-for)

Pegida - Germany's Far Right Movement that has attracted 18,000 supporters in the past 3 months. 

What you need to know about Pegida:

• Leader - Lutz Bachmann 
• Pegida stands for "Patriotic Europeans agains the Islamistation of the West"
• The group campaigns against what it perceives as the growing influence of Islam in Europe and increasing immigration 
• Marches have been held in the Czech Republic, Denmark and Norway and sympathiser groups have formed in European countries such as Spain, Sweden and Switzerland 
• The group denies it is racist, but has attracted praise from far-right groups
• Angela Merkel has criticised the protests, calling them xenophobic and racist, stating in her New Year Address to the public "Don't follow these people" as she said that the people behind Pegida have "coldness, prejudice and hatred in their hearts." 

In the UK:

• The far right group has announced that protests against the perceived "Islamisation of the west"  will take place in Newcastle (the groups first UK rally) 
• This protest is a reaction to the Paris terrorist attacks that happened in January of this year 
• Newcastle Central's MP Chi Onwarah states that "Pegida, like EDL and all those who try to peddle a message of hatred, will find they have no place in Newcastle."

Evaluation 

Pegida has most of the characteristics of a far right party that rises in popularity in the 21st century. It holds principles that many angry and frustrated people feel about modern life - the scale of immigrants, asylum seekers and the "islamification" of the West. Pegida holds facists themes such as a populist leader who holds attention of the crowds with his vast views of modern Germany. However, like many far-right groups in this century such as the BNP and EDL, Bachmann lacks the charisma which is essential in far right politics. Bachmann has made fatal mistakes such as posing as Hitler on social networks which credits the party's "we're not racists, but" tagline. Pegida will grow ever more popular owing to the economic climate in Europe, the rise of Terrorist attacks and the general apathy the electorate has with the main political parties - these factors showcase how far-right groups will always prosper in times of austerity, and will continue to prosper until these factors have found a solution.