Doc. 8263
9 November 1998

Threat posed to democracy by extremist parties

Motion for a resolution

presented by Lord Russell-Johnston and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.        The Assembly is extremely concerned about the growth in Council of Europe member states of political parties whose programmes, by encouraging racial, ethnic of religious hatred in intolerance, pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms and democracy.

2.        It is alarming that, in certain member states, such parties have even won seats in national or regional parliaments, from where they are able to disseminate their ideas.

3.        The Assembly notes with concern that certain democratic political parties are succumbing to the temptation to take up elements of the programmes of extremist parties for electoral purposes and even accept their support in order to form majorities.

4.        The Assembly believes that indulgence towards extremist parties endangers the very values of the Council of Europe was set up to protect.

5.        The Assembly therefore:

i.        calls on all political parties to base their programmes and action on respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, democracy and the rule of law;

ii.        calls on all political parties and politicians not to accept the support of extremist parties, whether explicit or implicit, on any grounds whatsoever;

iii.        calls for strengthening of legislation that can be used to ban extremist parties or to deprive politicians belonging to such parties of the right to be elected to public office.

Signed : ¹

Russell-Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Schieder, Austria, SOC

Schwimmer, Austria, EPP/CD

Atkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Barsony, Hungary, SOC

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Degn, Denmark, SOC

Jansson, Finland, LDR

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group