‘More popular support ‘hitting’ democratic values of Europe worrying’
“EUROPE has become a hotbed for the extremist right-wing phenomenon and its populist side which has begun to increase for years in the European Union countries, especially big countries, such as France, Germany and Italy has adopted a fascist approach that spreads hatred against foreigners, especially Muslims,” columnist Sultan Ibrahim Al-Khalaf wrote for Al-Rai.
“This tendency calls for the prevention of immigration, justifying this by preserving European cultural identity from foreign cultures under the slogan (Europe for the Europeans). It was accepted by a significant segment of France, where the far-right Marine Le Pen succeeded in strengthening its position in the National Assembly, and her party, the National Front became the second major party, and was the rival competitor to President Macron in the last presidential elections.
“In Germany, the populists, represented by the alternative for Germany party, contributed to dissuading former Chancellor Merkel from accepting more refugees, who believed that Germany needed them, especially from the educated and holders of degrees, after the waves of refugees that left our Arab region following the Arab Spring revolutions.
“The wave of the extreme right also struck Italy, and was led by the (Brothers of Italy) party led by the extreme right-wing Giorgia Meloni. It is not surprising that Italy was a fascist state led by Mussolini before its defeat in the Second World War.
“The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a right-wing extremist, could not control himself and declared (the danger of the presence of human groups of mixed races) in his country.
“I do not know by what logic of the US envoy against anti-Semitism, Deborah Lipstadt, who expressed her annoyance with Orbán’s statement and considered it an invocation of Nazi racism, while her country is immersed in supporting the fascist-Zionist policy in occupied Palestine, and its former president Trump was a blatant example of populism.
“It is clear that populism in Europe has become an effective force in competition with the main parties that dominate the political scene, after they have mastered the art of playing their trump card of economic difficulties and defending identity in the face of the danger of immigrants.
“It has become worrying for Europeans that more popular support is threatening the democratic values of Europe, paving the way for the return of fascist sentiments, and threatening to dismantle the European Union, inspired by Britain’s exit.”
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“The political moves that Iran is taking with several Islamic countries, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to establish an Islamic union similar to the European
Union is a good project, and we hope that it will be a cooperative union in the economic and political field, and we do not want to establish a military union because we do not need a military grouping,” columnist Abdul Mohsen Mohammed Al-Husseini wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“Islamic countries do not want to enter into military disputes and disagreements, and prefer that border disputes be resolved within the framework of positive understanding and that we avoid any military disputes.
“Tehran began to move with several Islamic countries and began with Saudi Arabia, and it also conducted political contacts with Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf countries. These Iranian moves must be preceded by understanding about Arab countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Yemen in which Iran is interfering, because it is difficult to complete the project of the Islamic Union without putting an end to Iranian interference in a number of Arab countries.
“The idea of the Islamic Union of Cooperation is beneficial to Islamic countries and pushes for the establishment of a common Islamic trade market such as the European market, and there is no doubt that the establishment of such a market will have a positive impact on the economies of Islamic countries.
“It will also achieve through the Islamic gathering on political understanding between Islamic countries, and such a union will contribute to the stability and security of Islamic countries, and will push for the elimination of any disputes between Islamic countries regarding border disputes and the locations of oil wells, and there are also political differences that have been greatly affected by sectarian differences and political parties in some Islamic countries.
“The project needs to establish a political institution for Islamic countries such as the Gulf Cooperation Council or the League of Arab States, and it is also an opportunity to gather all Islamic forces to confront terrorist organizations that operate under Islamic slogans such as ISIS, which practices all kinds of terrorism inside Arab cities such as the eastern regions of Syria.
“The time has come for the Islamic countries to initiate the establishment of an Islamic union whose goal is economic cooperation, unifying political positions and addressing all disputes between Islamic countries.
“Among the sayings of, His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, may his soul rest in peace: ‘Our permanent constants are based on our Gulf, Arab and Islamic presence with our interaction with the world in which we live in and the unfolding events, from which we must take lessons, and know fully our position from it and our relationship with it’.”
“Undoubtedly, the recent events that led to the complicated relationship between the legislative and executive authorities necessitate a return to the people in order to ‘rectify the course’, as stated in the decree on dissolving the National Assembly,” columnist Abdulrahman Al-Awad wrote for Al-Sabah daily.
“The decree affirmed that the political scene, incompatibility, non-cooperation, differences, conflicts, dominance of personal interests, non-acceptance of others, practices and behaviors that threaten national unity necessitate a return to the people – the source of authorities. This is the destiny, extension, survival and existence needed to rectify the course in a manner that serves higher interests.
“The decree on dissolving the National Assembly, which was issued recently, restored the reins of matters to the people. Therefore, it is imperative for the people at this important stage of our history to return the favor, and quickly choose the most efficient and the best, in which the service of this dear country is marked.
“The vote in the upcoming elections entails deep trust. It is a major task that requires the voter to study his choices well, so as not to reach the point of differences and conflicts once again to end up in lack of cooperation between the two authorities.
“Besides a strong government, we also need a strong and cooperative legislature that pushes towards achievement, contributes to legislation that serves the citizen, his interests and life, and provides the general atmosphere for the development that all of us are dreaming of.”
“My article is being published today, while I read and hear analyses from here and there on the developments in the next stage, which could include a surprise – a politically high caliber or the ordinary and expected one,” columnist Iqbal Al-Ahmad wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“Here, you find the Kuwaiti society divided into two groups – one applauds the constitutional dissolution of the National Assembly and suspension of parliamentary work for a few years for the government to manage the wheel of development and move forward with many projects that have remained trapped in interrogations, objections and corruption.
“On the other hand, the other group seems angry and apprehensive about the dissolution, even though there are logical and acceptable reasons within the framework of the Constitution.
“It is good to start where they left off, but it should be done in a logical and convincing manner, because not everything we see in our Gulf surroundings are the priorities of our ambition.
“In Kuwait, we aspire for the restoration of security and stability in the hearts of Kuwaiti citizens and others. This is in addition to restoring confidence in all State agencies through their return to the line of law and achievement.”