https://statedept.substack.com/p/the-need-for-civilizational-allies-in-…
This environment also restricts Europe’s elections. As recently highlighted by Secretary Rubio, the popular Alternative für Deutschland party was just labeled an “extremist” organization by German intelligence, which could lead to the party’s exclusion from the electoral process. Leading French presidential candidate Marine LePen was charged with embezzlement and, departing from standard procedure, immediately banned from running. Restrictions have likewise occurred in Poland and Romania against select political parties or politicians. Simultaneously, Christian nations like Hungary are unjustly labeled as authoritarians and human rights abusers.
Americans are familiar with these tactics. Indeed, a similar strategy of censorship, demonization, and bureaucratic weaponization was utilized against President Trump and his supporters. What this reveals is that the global liberal project is not enabling the flourishing of democracy. Rather, it is trampling democracy, and Western heritage along with it, in the name of a decadent governing class afraid of its own people.