Dutch intelligence service warns far-right extremists are normalizing their ideas

Right-wing extremists are trying to make their ideas more acceptable to a wider audience by presenting a “softer version” of their views, according to warnings from the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV). In a joint analysis, the security services say some extremists are also trying to influence political parties from within.

“This exposes as many people as possible, repeatedly, to right-wing extremist ideas. This reduces resistance to their views and expressions while increasing their acceptance,” the researchers said.

The report also states that the involvement of far-right groups in public debate leaves less room for dialogue and solutions. Right-wing extremist ideology is based on the idea that people are unequal because of their skin color and the belief that white people are superior.

Marc Kuipers, National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, warned that normalizing right-wing extremist ideas and rhetoric could have security consequences. “People willing to use violence may also feel that this normalization gives them justification to take action themselves,” he said. “It is therefore essential to recognize how right-wing extremists seek to normalize their ideas and rhetoric and to limit their influence.”

The security services say most people in the Netherlands reject right-wing extremist ideas, but they have also observed that more people are becoming receptive to such views. “It is important that terms such as ‘remigration’ do not become normalized without people understanding what right-wing extremists mean by them,” they wrote. “In this context, it refers to the forced removal of groups of people because extremists believe they do not belong here.”

Political parties including JA21, FVD and the PVV have included support for remigration in their election programs. This summer, the coalition parties VVD, CDA and D66 held talks with JA21 in an effort to secure support for the government’s budget. The VVD was also part of the previous governing coalition with the PVV.

A far-right demonstration at the Malieveld in The Hague descended into violence last Saturday. Participants used violence, displayed neo-Nazi symbols on their clothing and flags, and chanted racist and antisemitic slogans.