Europe’s far right seizes on protest violence to push authoritarian anti-immigration agenda

Far-right leaders in Europe are exploiting recent violence in cities to criticize liberal governance and promote their law-and-order agendas ahead of elections. In France, the National Rally blames the government for unrest, while in Germany, the AfD warns of potential spillover effects. Portugal's Chega party cautions against instability, and Spain's Vox party demonizes protesters linked to housing issues. Italy's Giorgia Meloni emphasizes security measures and blames immigration for riots. The narrative extends to the US, where political figures frame the unrest as a cautionary tale about immigration and multiculturalism.