Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I begin by alluding to the most significant political event in recent months, which, bizarrely, did not feature much at the meeting of the European Council but which on a number of levels is already having a direct impact on political events in this continent. The outcome of the US presidential election has brought into sharp focus the scale of the political crisis facing the capitalist establishment internationally. Trump is clearly a racist, misogynist, multi-billionaire bigot but he is not trusted or supported by large sections of the ruling class in the US, including important sections of the Republican Party in the recent election. Such opposition flows from the economic policies Trump has advocated. His sexism and disgusting attacks on migrants and other minorities were a factor in helping to galvanise support for his candidacy but it was ultimately his opposition to policies of globalisation in the form of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, along with his promise to "make America great again" that ensured he was able to gain support in the so-called rust belt of the United States. These states are made up of de-industrialised communities in places like Michigan, Ohio etc., whose manufacturing jobs have been destroyed by globalisation and neoliberal capitalism over the past four decades. The Minister of State might want to pay attention to some of these points. By cynically posing as an anti-establishment candidate opposed to the economic orthodoxy that has brought so much misery to working-class people, Mr. Trump was able to tap into the anger and hatred that exists towards the political establishment in the United States, epitomised by Ms Hillary Clinton.

How do the factors that led to his election relate to Europe and the phenomenon of right-wing populism on this side of the Atlantic? Trump's election has given confidence and an impetus to the forces of racist and right-wing populism here in Europe, in countries such as France, the Netherlands and Germany, where elections will take place later this year. Last December, the far-right Freedom Party in Austria was able to gain 46% of the vote in the re-run of that country's presidential election. According to the commentariat of the capitalist media and press, these developments are illustrative of a shift to the right within society. This superficial analysis fails to understand the economic and political circumstances that have given rise to this right-wing populism. Like Trump, right wing and far-right populist forces such as Marine Le Pen and the National Front in France, Geert Wilders in the Netherlands and the Alternative for Germany party have gained from the decline or collapse in support for the so-called political centre.

The latter is comprised of the traditional parties of the capitalist class in Europe, which occupy a similar position to Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, along with the former social democratic parties, such as the SPD in Germany, PASOK in Greece, PSOE in Spain, the Dutch Social Democrats and the so-called socialist parties of Portugal and France, which are sister organisations of Ireland's Labour Party. Many of these parties have been in power since 2008, when the economic crisis of capitalism came to fruition. They all uniformly accept and helped to implement the logic of neoliberal capitalism, the driving down of wages and conditions, de-industrialisation and the dismantling of the welfare state so the profits of big business and banks could be maximised. They are keen supporters of the increasingly discredited EU project. It is also noteworthy that some of them have sought, through their actions and words, to stir up anti-refugee and anti-migrant sentiment that has played into the hands of the far right.

The far-right groups have put forward a populist message of railing against the European Union and globalisation, as well as scapegoating refugees and migrants for the problems confronting working and middle-class people. Le Pen, who is expected to go through to the second round of the French presidential election, has gained support in areas of France that suffered de-industrialisation and which, in turn, face high levels of unemployment.

There is nothing inevitable about the rise of the Trumps, the Le Pens, Geert Wilders and their ilk and there is massive potential to fill the gaping political vacuum with genuine left movements. For example, in the United States the support garnered by Mr. Bernie Sanders is indicative of this. His message of a political revolution against the billionaire class resonated with many of those who were ultimately to vote for Trump. Although the right poses a real threat to workers, young people, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual and queer people, as well as people of colour, the rise of the right can be met with enormous opposition in the months and years ahead. The magnificent women's protests we saw at the weekend are just an indication of what may be to come. That is our sincere hope.

This reaction to the politics of the far right can help to create the basis to build a political alternative that can ultimately defeat racism and the right. The building of a powerful socialist left is of urgent necessity if the growth and support for right-wing and populist parties is to be cut across. While taking a principled position in opposition to racism and racist immigration controls and in favour of the right of asylum, there is necessity to seize the wealth of the 1% and invest in decent jobs, homes and services for the 99%, migrant and non-migrant alike.

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