Yet another reminder of many throughout the years here as to which direction Europe is turning:
Nationalist leaders throughout the continent score political points as public opinion turns against Muslim immigrants
BRUSSELS — The Brussels attacks have given a boost to the far right in Belgium and beyond, and their anti-Islam language is finding a special resonance after another bloodbath by Islamic State extremists.
Just as the Paris attacks that killed 130 people in November reinvigorated the right-wing National Front in regional elections, last week’s bombings in the Belgian capital have given radical-right leader Filip Dewinter’s Flemish Interest party fresh impetus to re-ignite his group’s flagging fortunes.
…
Last Sunday, hundreds of black-clad soccer hooligans broke up a solemn wake at Brussels’ Bourse Square for the 32 victims of the March 22 attacks on the airport and subway system, and police had to bring in a water cannon before order could be restored.
On Saturday, police are bracing for a possible gathering of right-wing extremists in Brussels’ Molenbeek district. Even though any demonstration has been banned by police, fear remains that it would further incite violence in a neighborhood dominated by Muslim immigrant families.
“What happened at the Bourse doesn’t inspire confidence. The population here, it’s going around that the protesters still want to come,” said Molenbeek councilwoman Sarah Turine.
It’s in this atmosphere of trepidation that the far right has traditionally flourished.
“If only you had listened to us,” hectored Wilders in the Dutch parliament on Tuesday, arguing he had been calling for the preventive detention of foreign fighters for three years.
…
“Hundreds, maybe thousands of jihadis are ready to strike,” said Wilders, using the kind of language that has made his PVV party the most popular in the Netherlands, according to the latest polls.
Full article: Europe turns to the right after terror attacks (The Times of Israel)
Global Geopolitics 