As we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we honour the memory of the millions murdered in the Holocaust. Our remembrance must also inspire action based on the courage of those who resisted. The resistance against Nazism came not only from prominent figures but from everyday people—students, farmers, and workers. Their legacy lives on today in all who stand against far-right hate, inequality, and oppression.
Left Co-chair Martin Schirdewan (DIE LINKE, Germany) says:
“The rise of Trump in the US, fueled by billionaire-backed far-right agendas, was a warning to the world. In Europe, the AfD follows the same playbook: pretending to be ‘normal’ while spreading hate against minorities, deepening economic inequality, and dividing workers. Normalising them is the most dangerous step—it’s how history repeats itself. The memory of the Shoah reminds us where hate, apathy, and silence can lead. It takes collective antifascist resistance, in politics and everyday life, to ensure ‘never again’ is not just a phrase. Resist, organise, and never look away.”
Far-right extremism has adapted to the modern age, but its essence remains the same—inhuman, anti-democratic, and fueled by division. It exploits economic insecurity, poverty, and social inequality to gain support, presenting itself as the defender of “ordinary, hard-working people” while sowing hate and division.
A recent survey revealed that many young people in Germany and across Europe are unaware of the Holocaust or its scale. This is a sobering reminder that remembrance and education must remain central to our efforts. History teaches us this: silence and passivity enable hate to grow. Remember the ordinary people who resisted the Nazis – students, workers, farmers – who stood against an ideology that dehumanized others and sowed division.
Their fight is our fight. When you oppose hate speech, you keep their legacy alive. When you refuse to stay silent, you defend humanity. When you fight for equality and justice, you carry forward their antifascist spirit. Their message to us, 80 years later, is clear: Do not look away. Do not stay silent. Do not give up. Let us honor their memory not just in words but in action—by building a society rooted in solidarity, equality, and humanity.
The Left in the European Parliament stands for solidarity, equality, and justice. We firmly oppose the rise of right-wing populism, fascism, and right-wing extremism in all its forms. Our vision is an inclusive society built on human dignity and democracy, rejecting hate, division, and the politics of fear. Our alternative is clear: solidarity over hate, humanity over oppression, and progress over division.
