Europe’s Far Right Seizes on Protest Violence to Push Authoritarian Anti-immigration Agenda

THE GUARDIAN: Nationalist leaders are framing unrest as consequence of failed liberal governance and open borders

A fire burns as police officers in riot gear stand guard in Paris. Photograph: Abdul Saboor/Reuters
Europe’s far-right leaders have jumped on the violence that rocked numerous cities last weekend, framing it as the inevitable consequence of failed liberal governance and open-border policies and insisting only they can restore law and order.

Months away from key elections in Spain, France and Italy, authoritarian nationalists are eager to weaponise the wave of street unrest, originating in peaceful protests over the cost of living and deteriorating public services but hijacked by violent rioters.

Those in opposition have not held back. In France, where cities such as Paris, Marseille and Lyon faced widespread rioting and looting, the far-right National Rally (RN) has denounced centrist incompetence and promised a crackdown.

The party’s president, Jordan Bardella, said the government was “impotent”. The RN leader, Marine Le Pen, said on Wednesday the state was “collapsing” and had “lost control of everything” amid “migratory, budgetary and security chaos”.

Ahead in presidential polls and seeking voters beyond her base, Le Pen has resisted explicitly racialising the unrest, but has framed it more broadly as a result of state and policy failures leading to “anarchic immigration” and “a total loss of authority”.

In Germany – where there were no major protests – the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has stoked fears rioting could spill over the border. Its co-leader Alice Weidel said France’s “violent excesses” were a “warning for Germany”.

Weidel also linked the unrest to immigration, posting: “The dangerous mix of mass migration and leftwing extremism threatens to lead to civil war-like conditions here too … There will only be a turnaround on migration with the AfD!” » | Jon Henley and Guardian correspondents | Wednesday, October 21, 2026

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When Trump was talking about Ilhan Omar, I thought he must surely be talking about himself! 😊 — © Mark Alexander

Brexit: Der größte Fehler der Briten, Ulrike Herrmann?

Der Brexit habe in Großbritannien Schleifspuren hinterlassen, sagt Wirtschaftsjournalistin und Bestsellerautorin Ulrike Herrmann. Sie erklärt, warum die Rechnung der Briten beim EU-Austritt nicht aufgegangen ist und es der Bevölkerung schlechter geht, als eingangs erwartet.
Ulrike Herrmann zeigt, wie der Brexit den Briten geschadet hat.

The Billionaires Have Enough Money to Buy Both Sides' — Interview with Gil Durán | DW News

Oct 21, 2026 | US Author Gil Durán warns that Silicon Valley “billionaires have enough money to buy both sides" in any US election. In his book „The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy,“ Durán pieces together public statements from powerful tech investors like Peter Thiel that amount to a chilling attack on democracy as we know it. Durán criticizes both Republicans and Democrats for refusing to take on the big money in tech.

AfD’s Alice Weidel on Ukraine, Migration and Germany’s Future | The Economist

Oct 21, 2026 | Alice Weidel is one of the most important politicians in Europe today. She is the co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the right-wing populist party which is leading in Germany’s national polls and came top in two recent state elections. Ms Weidel is skilled at voicing Germans’ frustrations with mainstream political parties. Less clear is her alternative vision for the country. What does she really believe in? And how would she govern?

In conversation with Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief, in the Bundestag in Berlin, Ms Weidel discusses the AfD’s economic plan, its stance on Russia and Ukraine, and whether she supports—or even recognises—the extreme elements in her party.

Steve Rosenberg: What Are the Russian Papers Saying ahead of Steve Witkoff's Meeting with Vladimir Putin?

Oct 21, 2026 | Steve Witkoff's in St Petersburg to meet President Putin: what are this morning’s Russian newspapers saying about the visit? Plus, an interesting editorial…with a warning for the Russian authorities.

Putin’s ‘Stuck in a Dangerous Place’ as Ukraine Scorches Russian Economy | Bill Browder

Oct 20, 2026 | “The Ukrainians have a way of fighting back to scorch his economy.”

Putin is “stuck” in a “dangerous place” as he finds himself fighting against a resilient and adaptive Ukraine, says Sir William Browder.

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Trump’s Push for Deals With Russia Powers His Frustration With Ukraine

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The series of recent steps by the president that seem to favor Vladimir Putin reflect his intensifying desire to normalize the relationship with Moscow even if it means further undercutting Ukraine.

President Trump with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine at Mar-a-Lago in December. Credit: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times
He shunted aside a bipartisan law, signed just weeks ago, imposing new tariffs on Russia. He cut a deal to purchase diesel from Moscow. His negotiators agreed on the vague outlines of a deal for much of Lukoil, a battered Russian energy firm. And he called for the replacement of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, whose success in taking the fight inside Russia deeply frustrates him.

President Trump’s intensifying effort in the past few weeks to rehabilitate Russia and usher President Vladimir V. Putin back into diplomatic society is remarkable for its speed, its characterization of Mr. Zelensky as the primary obstacle to peace, and its brazen denial that Russia is continuing the war that Mr. Trump says he is trying to end.

“Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine,” Mr. Trump said on Monday, speaking to reporters outside the White House as he left for a campaign rally. “They haven’t been doing much,” he said, making no mention of the Russian missiles and jet-powered drones that have been targeting apartment buildings in Kyiv and Ukraine’s surviving electricity grid.


Mr. Trump’s disdain for Mr. Zelensky is hardly new. Nor is his willingness to give the benefit of the doubt to Mr. Putin, for whom he has often expressed respect and even admiration.

But what is different now is Mr. Trump’s increased determination to force a deal on Mr. Zelensky, telling him that holding out to retain occupied portions of the country’s eastern provinces is not worth it — and that there is money to be made for Ukraine, as well, if it would only drop its objections to an accord, even one written largely on Russia’s terms. » | David E. Sanger | David E. Sanger has covered five American presidents in over four decades at the Times. He often writes about the re-emergence of superpower conflict, the subject of his most recent book. | Monday, October 18, 2026

What a disreputable bloody man the West is being led by! Trump is totally and utterly without honour. But that’s not all; it gets even worse: As we all know, he is also incompetent, self-enriching, greedy, corrupt, cruel, megalomaniacal, lacking in compassion, and much else negative besides. He is everything the West doesn’t need to lead it. Moreover, in Trump, we find all the worst that is to be found in American society: greed, self-love, lack of restraint, lack of principle, and an insatiable desire and drive for profit and money. ‘Gimme more, more, more! Gimme all you got! I wan’ it all!’

Trump went into politics with the express desire to enrich himself. He couldn’t give a tinker’s toss about the welfare of his country or its people. What Trump cares about is his bottom line: profit. He struggled to make it in business, but by God he found a cash cow in American politics. All he had to be was bent; and that comes as second nature to Trump. So, no problem there!

But let us be fair to the man... his father left him only in excess of $413m (adjusted for inflation). How could he possibly have been expected to get by with such a paltry sum of money? He was almost forced to find another very profitable pursuit in his dotage! After all, prices are high in America, and you must to keep up with them if your lifestyle is to be maintained adequately.

The man I feel sorry for is Volodymyr Zelenksyy. He has a major problem on his hands. Spare a thought for that brave man, our hero. He’s got not only ONE SHITBAG to deal with; but TWO: Trump and Putin! Just imagine!

May the Good Lord bless Zelenskyy with strength, wisdom, and continued fortitude. He needs all the help he can get, all the support. The decent world must stick with him. Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!) — © Mark Alexander

Trump Needs a Scapegoat, and That Scapegoat Is Zelenskyy | Wider View from Brussels

Oct 19, 2026 | Europe has been left stunned by the diesel deal struck between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. But should such a transactional approach from the U.S. president still come as a surprise? In Wider View from Brussels, guests Andrea Palasciano and Guntram Wolf examine the political and strategic implications of the agreement. According to the analysts, Trump's actions may represent a turning point in transatlantic relations – one from which there may be no return. At stake, they argue, is not only the security of Ukraine, but also the future security architecture of Europe itself. Chapters:

Donald Trump disgusts me; indeed, he should disgust all decent, principled people. I therefore hope and trust that he disgusts you, too. — © Mark Alexander

Argentina in Turmoil: University Protest Turns Violent Outside Congress in Buenos Aires

Oct 16, 2026 | BUENOS AIRES — Violent clashes erupted outside Argentina’s National Congress in Buenos Aires as thousands of students, university lecturers, and trade union workers staged a nationwide protest demanding President Javier Milei’s administration implement the University Financing Law.

Federal security forces deployed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators protesting against real-terms education spending cuts and rising living costs.

The fifth major federal mobilization since Milei took office highlighted escalating political friction over his fiscal zero-deficit policy, with university unions demanding inflation-linked wage adjustments and opposition lawmakers attempting to repeal sweeping executive decrees.

Local authorities confirmed at least 25 arrests and several law enforcement injuries as police moved to clear blockades around the congressional plaza.

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„Davos in der Wüste“: Saudi-Arabien verschiebt sein wichtigstes Wirtschaftsforum

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Saudi-Arabiens wichtigstes Investorenforum soll kommende Woche nicht vor Ort stattfinden. Finanzkonzerne haben Sicherheitsbedenken geäußert.

Die Aramco-Zentrale in Dhahran am 14. Oktober. Die Huthi-Miliz erklärte, Anlagen des saudischen Ölkonzerns angegriffen zu haben. | © AFP
Saudi-Arabien hat nach Medienberichten entschieden, sein als „Davos in der Wüste“ bekanntes Investorenforum kommende Woche nicht als Präsenzveranstaltung abzuhalten. Wie das US-Nachrichtenportal Semafor am Montag unter Berufung auf informierte Personen berichtete, teilen die Veranstalter Teilnehmern eine Verschiebung auf 2027 mit. Hintergrund sind die eskalierenden Angriffe der Huthi-Miliz auf das Königreich und Sicherheitsbedenken internationaler Finanzkonzerne.

Auch das Wall Street Journal berichtete, dass die Future Investment Initiative (FII) nicht wie geplant vor Ort stattfinden werde. Nach dessen Informationen stehen eine vollständige Onlineveranstaltung oder eine Verschiebung zur Wahl. Eine öffentliche Bestätigung der Veranstalter lag zunächst nicht vor. » | Sophie Barkey | Montag, 19. Oktober 2026

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Press Dubs Trump "a Magician" for Making Some Sanctions Disappear.

Oct 19, 2026 | Donald Trump says the Russian sanctions waiver is designed to help negotiate peace. But the headline in one Russian paper today: “We will make a deal with Ukraine entirely on our terms.” Another paper declares: “Russia’s borders, as we know, do not end anywhere.”

Andrew Neil Explains the French Protests In 9 Minutes

Oct 19, 2026 | Andrew Neil explains the French protests, and the ramifications for the country’s leadership.

France’s Far Right Seizes the Moment as Rioting Stuns the Country

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The National Rally, already ahead in the polls, presented itself as the party best placed to restore law and order.

The aftermath of protests in central Bordeaux on Sunday. Credit: Philippe Lopez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
After riots erupted this weekend in cities across France, its centrist government blamed the main far-left party, accusing its politicians of inciting the violence. That party blamed the government, accusing it of stirring public anger through years of bad governance and heavy-handed policing.

What did the main far-right party do? It blamed both, and launched into campaign mode. >br />
“We are paying for decades of being soft on crime, of weak authority, of the moral, psychological, and material disarmament of our internal security forces,” Jordan Bardella, the president of the far-right National Rally party, said after emerging from a police station in central Paris on Sunday. He said had gone there to support police officers.

Then he addressed France’s “honest citizens” who were stunned on Sunday by the smashed storefronts and burned-out businesses destroyed by rioters the night before. He said they had a vital role to play in reinstating national stability. And that would be by voting in the coming election for his party.

“People need to wake up now,” Mr. Bardella said. “They need to make the right political choices, and in any case, we stand ready to restore order in the country.”

Sunday was a day of mourning, shock and finger pointing in France. The day before, huge peaceful protests for better school conditions and against rising living costs were overshadowed by black-clad and often masked agitators of unclear affiliation who attacked government buildings and shops across the country, sometimes stealing wine or electronics.

For the National Rally, which bills itself as the party of law and order as well as an advocate for expelling unauthorized immigrants, Sunday was also a day of political opportunity. It is six months before a presidential election that the party’s candidate, Marine Le Pen, is the favorite to win. » | Catherine Porter | Reporting from Paris | Monday, October 18, 2026

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Could these elections mark a turning point for American democracy or has the country already gone too far down the road towards authoritarianism?

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Which Rich Country Is the Most Screwed?

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Mitten in der Versorgungskrise: Russische Lieferung von 750 Tonnen Speiseöl erreicht Kuba

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Die Lieferung über das UN-Welternährungsprogramm ist für bedürftige Familien, Schwangere und Kranke bestimmt. Auch aus Japan, China und von den Bahamas erreichen Hilfsgüter die Insel.

Treibstoffmangel und Stromausfälle schränken in Kuba auch den öffentlichen Verkehr und die Versorgung der Bevölkerung ein. | © Angelo Mastrascusa/imago
Russland hat Kuba mehr als 750 Tonnen Sonnenblumenöl als humanitäre Hilfe geliefert. Die symbolische Übergabe fand am Freitag in Havanna statt, wie die kubanische Tageszeitung Granma und die russische Nachrichtenagentur Tass berichteten. Das mit den Vitaminen A und D angereicherte Öl gelangte demnach über das Welternährungsprogramm der Vereinten Nationen (WFP) auf die Insel.

Nach Angaben der russischen Botschaft in Havanna stammt die Lieferung aus Mitteln des russischen Katastrophenschutzministeriums. Rund 211 Tonnen seien bereits entladen, eine zweite Charge von mehr als 500 Tonnen warte im Hafen darauf, meldete Granma. Bereits 2025 hatte Moskau in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Welternährungsprogramm mehr als 800 Tonnen Sonnenblumenöl nach Kuba geschickt, wie die russische Botschaft mitteilte. » | Peter Steiniger | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2026

The Conditions of a Third World War Have Already Been Met | Volodymyr Yelchenko

Oct 16, 2026 | “I'm trying to put it correctly, we are already living, under conditions of the Third World War. It is simply very different from the second and the first.”

Donald Trump doesn’t realise the “full extent” of the damage he could cause if he continues with his current stance on Ukraine, says former Ukrainian ambassador to the US and Russia Volodymyr Yelchenko.