Fascism: even you, Germany?

The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party won the German parliamentary elections. This is a red flag flashing around the world. As if the Christian conservative party's victory wasn't enough, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD) came in second with 20,8%. Germany, which should be an example of banishing fascism worldwide, now presents its leader Alice Weidel, riddled with inconsistencies. A lesbian married to an immigrant. Two adopted children, despite her party being against adoption by same-sex couples. She is a German patriot, but lives in Switzerland and belongs to a party considered extremely extreme even by other radical extremist parties in Europe. We must understand that fascism, a popular movement, manages to encompass the frustrations of a population depressed by the country's financial crisis. The right clings to the movement, which manages to win elections against the left.

Fascism is a political and cultural movement. Umberto Eco, in his book 'Eternal Fascism', listed 14 points that define whether or not we are entering fascism. Let's look at some of these points to ascertain whether or not we are migrating towards it in the world. Cult of tradition, cult of technology, action is beautiful in itself, therefore it must be carried out before and without any reflection. Thinking is a form of castration, fascism stems from individual or social frustration, nationalism, privileges for those born in the same country, elitism, cult of the hero, machismo, populism, always having sexual connotations and always leaving minorities without assistance.

What's surprising is Germany joining in, even with its history with Nazism. It has always been an example. But the growth of fascism in the world is a reality. And now, they shamelessly show themselves to be fascist. Just look at personalities making the Hitlergruß or Sieg Heil salute, like Elon Musk (who participated in the far-right AFD rally) and Steve Bannon (a favorite of Bolsonaro). Trump himself, including in his first actions expelling immigrants. The election map shows that the CDU won in West Germany and the CDU in East Germany. The discomfort lies in knowing that Germany as a whole voted for the conservatives, which didn't help the 1,4 million people demonstrating in the streets against the advance of the far-right. What could have been a turning point, along with France in Europe, is finding growing echoes as it spreads around the world.

The pressure to contain the advance was exhausting. At the football match on election day, the Schalke team's shirt bore the inscription: "Vote for democracy! Against racism and discrimination!". It's worth remembering that during Nazism, all German clubs submitted to the new regime, as did all institutions of German society. The last time a far-right party came in second place was in the 1930 German elections. And in the following election, Hitler won. What are the similarities? The weakening of Germany in recent years, with economic crisis and the growth of xenophobia as a result. Hitler rose to power by focusing on the country's economic recovery with the Four-Year Plan, even using slave labor, he had the support of businessmen and thus managed to implement Nazi ideology.

During the German election campaign, the AfD party distributed leaflets shaped like airline tickets, an allusion to immigrants using them to return to their respective countries. The coincidence is that this was the same strategy the Nazis used years ago. Where was the German National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation in this case? It doesn't exist. Only the Bundesgerichtshof, the equivalent of our Supreme Federal Court. May the Gods look upon us.