Alliance for Peace and Freedom

Alliance for Peace and Freedom. The Alliance for Peace and Freedom (APF) is a pan-European political party founded in 2015, operating as an alliance of far-right and nationalist parties across the continent. It was established with the primary goal of opposing the political and economic structures of the European Union and promoting a vision of a "Europe of sovereign nations." The party has faced significant controversy and limited electoral success, with several of its member parties and prominent figures being associated with extremist ideologies.

History

The Alliance for Peace and Freedom was formally founded in February 2015 during a conference in Rome, with key founding figures including Roberto Fiore of the Italian Forza Nuova and Nick Griffin, former chairman of the British National Party. Its creation was seen as an attempt to unify various strands of the European far-right following the dissolution of the earlier European National Front. The party applied for registration with the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations but was initially rejected, a decision later overturned by the General Court of the European Union. Throughout its existence, it has organized rallies and conferences in cities like Brussels, Prague, and Cologne, often attracting other nationalist groups. Its activities have been monitored by anti-fascist organizations and state authorities, including Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

Ideology and political positions

The core ideology is rooted in Pan-European nationalism, advocating for a Europe based on ethnic and cultural homogeneity and the sovereignty of its constituent nations. It is strongly Eurosceptic, viewing the European Union and its institutions like the European Commission as oppressive forces undermining national identity. The party platform is explicitly Anti-immigration, particularly opposing migration from Africa and the Middle East, and it promotes traditional social values. It often expresses admiration for historical figures and regimes associated with fascism, and its rhetoric frequently aligns with Islamophobia and opposition to globalism. The APF also positions itself against NATO and what it describes as American hegemony, favoring a foreign policy of non-interventionism and closer ties with Russia.

Member parties and affiliated organizations

The alliance has included a fluctuating roster of nationalist parties from across Europe. Key founding and long-term members have included the Italian Forza Nuova, the Greek Golden Dawn, the Spanish La Falange, and the German Die Rechte. Other associated groups have included the Sweden Democrats (before their move toward the mainstream), the Bulgarian National Union, and the National Democratic Party of Germany. The APF has also maintained links with broader networks like the World National-Conservative Movement and has received ideological support from media outlets such as the Russian-sponsored Sputnik (news agency). Many of these member parties have faced legal challenges or bans in their home countries, such as the proscription of Golden Dawn by the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court of Greece.

Leadership and structure

The party has been led by a presidency council comprising leaders of its major member organizations. Prominent figures in its leadership have included Roberto Fiore, who served as president, and Nick Griffin as a vice-president. Other notable individuals involved in its structure have been Michal Marčík from the Czech National Democracy and Udo Voigt, former chairman of the National Democratic Party of Germany. The organizational model is decentralized, with decision-making power largely resting with the national parties. The alliance's headquarters were established in Brussels, strategically located to lobby against the European Parliament, though its operational capacity and funding have remained limited compared to larger European political families like the European People's Party.

Electoral performance

The electoral impact has been minimal and largely symbolic. In the 2014 European Parliament election, several future APF member parties ran on their own tickets, with only the Greek Golden Dawn winning seats, which it later lost. The APF itself failed to secure any representation in the 2019 European Parliament election. Its constituent parties have generally performed poorly in national elections, often failing to surpass electoral thresholds, as seen with Die Rechte in German federal elections or Forza Nuova in Italian general elections. The alliance's most significant public presence has been through street demonstrations and online propaganda rather than through successful electoral politics, with its events sometimes leading to clashes with antifa groups and police in cities like Leipzig and Milan.

Category:Far-right political parties in Europe Category:Pan-European political parties Category:Political parties established in 2015