EU Scream – Ep.112: Resisting Nazi-era Narratives at the European Parliament

Podcast Date: January 31, 2025
Host: James Kanter & EU Scream team
Main Guest: Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal (Dutch MEP, D66, Renew Europe)
Theme: How normalized far-right, Nazi-inspired narratives threaten democracy at the European Parliament—and how progressive lawmakers are pushing back.

Overview

In this episode, EU Scream examines the alarming mainstreaming of far-right, xenophobic, and fascist-inspired ideas within the European Parliament. Centering on the recent January plenary session, MEP Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal recounts her confrontations with hate speech, conspiracy theories, and "population replacement" rhetoric from far-right MEPs. The conversation unpacks the procedural limitations, emotional toll, and strategies for resisting these narratives, emphasizing the stakes for European democracy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The New Normal: Far-Right Ascent in the European Parliament

• The far right now controls nearly 190 seats—over a quarter of the chamber—across three groups, enjoying unprecedented access to funds and legislative influence.
• Increasing cooperation by mainstream parties, such as the European Conservatives and Reformists’ embrace by Ursula von der Leyen’s center-right grouping, accelerates normalization.

Quote:

"They walk around here like they own the place. And that is the essence of what democracy is not."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [00:04, 39:01]

2. Case Studies: Far-Right Rhetoric on Prominent Issues

• MEPs from Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Bulgaria explicitly use Nazi-era terminology ("population replacement") and target migrants, LGBTQ+ people, and climate action advocates.
• Notable elements of their discourse include admiration for Trump and Musk, hostility towards EU hate speech laws, and crypto-libertarian economics.

Quote:

"Now, Trump yesterday said what many of us have been saying for a long time. ... There are only two sexes as well."
— Various Far Right MEPs [03:46]

Quote:

"C' est fini. El futuro es de los patriotas. Gracias."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal (imitating far-right triumphalism) [04:15]

3. Procedural Barriers to Fighting Hate Speech

• Raquel details using "points of order" to challenge hate speech, specifically targeting MEP Susanna Borvandega for invoking “population replacement.”
• She calls for stronger enforcement of rules—warnings, disciplinary measures—and collective action from progressive MEPs.

Quote:

"I refer to the rules of procedure, Article 4, when it comes to hate speech or offensive language. ... I request that this may be scrapped from the meeting and that the colleague is held responsible for using this hate speech."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [22:12]

• Existing parliamentary mechanisms are inadequate—the offending MEP often gets the last word, leaving hate unchallenged in the record.

Quote:

"It’s not enough. ... We have to have much stronger debate rules in this House ... not only to make a point of order, but ... to speak to these colleagues directly, ask them for clarification."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [31:43]

4. The Emotional Toll and Need for Coordination

• Raquel describes the emotional challenge of face-palming through repetitive hate speech and the necessity for not standing alone—progressives must coordinate their interventions to present a united front.

Quote:

"Face palming is something that I might need to avoid a bit, because I see that happening quite often in this debate. No, but seriously, my point was..."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [35:59]

5. Deeper Roots and Real-World Consequences

• Far-right conspiracy theories echo Nazi and fascist history. Raquel stresses that such ideologies have “real consequences for people”—fueling hate incidents and crimes.
• She relates how, in her home country, similar terms are explicitly banned and considered direct references to Nazi ideology.

Quote:

"Words are not innocent. They have effect on people, and we should be stopping them at the source."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [19:08]

6. Personal and Policy Responses

• Raquel recalls intervening multiple times in a single session to confront racist language, raise the economic necessity of legal migration, and challenge far-right assessments of family and demographic "solutions."
• She highlights the limitations of "blue card" interventions, which paradoxically give the final word to those spreading hate.

Quote:

"You can try to use ... a blue card. ... But that's the last word. So there is no way to counter ... more hate speech, or quite frankly, just crap that they're sending into the world, because then your time is up."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [32:54]

7. What Should Change? Enforcement, Not Just Procedure

• She calls for systematic, parliamentary recording and sanctioning of hate speech, not leaving this responsibility to NGOs or civil society.

Quote:

"I also don't think that that should be the role of civil society ... the rules of procedure ... should be enforced and guarded by the presidency of this parliament."
— Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [37:52]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Opening Warning:

  • "They walk around here like they own the place. And that is the essence of what democracy is not."
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [00:04]

• Far Right’s Normalization & Support across Europe:

  • "Already, the far right are part of or supporting governments in Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and soon Austria."
    — James Kanter [01:49]

• On Conspiracy and the ‘Great Replacement’:

  • "We knew that extreme right would use this to spread their conspiracy theories about all sorts of plans to replace the European white population with immigrants ..."
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [15:17]

• Echoing Steve Bannon’s Strategy:

  • "What was his plan? Just flood the place with shit?"
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [18:00]

  • "Flood the zone with shit. Thank you, James. So that is the strategy ..."
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [18:44]

• The Nazi-fascist Language Connection:

  • "Specifically, yes, we see in historical research that there is a very clear connection between this great replacement theory and previous Nazi fascist theorists ..."
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [21:35]

• Linking Words to Harm:

  • "Words are not innocent. They have effect on people, and we should be stopping them at the source."
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [19:08]

• On Parliamentary Enforcement:

  • "I have sent a letter to Roberta Metsola ... I am hopeful she will look into this."
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [24:25]

• On Remaining Persistent:

  • "If I can contribute in these debates to fight that darkness, then I will keep doing so."
    — Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal [40:06]

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• Context on Far-Right Power in Parliament: [00:38]–[03:00]
• Far-Right Rhetoric and Trumpism: [03:46]–[07:50]
• Raquel’s Parliamentary Interventions on Hate Speech: [12:08]–[14:58]; [21:35]–[24:15]; [30:37]–[31:16]
• Detailed Analysis of Abuse of Parliamentary Procedure: [31:43]–[34:48]
• Discussion of Recording and Responding to Hate Speech: [37:40]–[38:34]
• Final Thoughts on Defending Democratic Values: [39:01]–[40:23]

Flow & Tone

The conversation is urgent, honest, and occasionally raw. Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal brings a sincerely personal and activist perspective, punctuated with moments of frustration but also deep commitment. The hosts contextualize far-right rhetoric with clear-eyed journalistic analysis, connecting the rise of Nazi-era narratives with concrete policy risks and the emotional burden for progressive MEPs.

Summary Takeaways

• The normalization of far-right, hatemongering rhetoric is now entrenched at the heart of the European Parliament.
• Current procedural rules (points of order, blue cards) are insufficient to truly combat and sanction hate speech and Nazi-inspired language.
• Progressive lawmakers like Raquel Garcia Hermida van der Waal are increasingly on the front lines, demanding firmer enforcement and collective action.
• There is a call for new, more robust structures—both in Parliament and in broader civil society—to safeguard European democratic values and minority rights.
• The episode ends with a sense of fighting for European democracy’s “light,” insisting that words have consequences, and persistence—even in the face of overwhelming opposition—is crucial.