By Marianne Hitchen

Large demonstrations in many European cities last year show how the energy crisis, linked to EU sanctions against Russia, is fuelling political instability as soaring power prices stoke inflation to levels unseen in three decades. In most cases the demonstrators hold a range of political views, including nationalist sentiments egged on by the right, which is exploiting the growing refugee crisis. But an awareness of the role of the US and NATO in prolonging, if not provoking, the war is growing across the political spectrum. Many of the protesters have called on their governments to end the war soon and for NATO to negotiate with the Kremlin. Some have linked their economic difficulties directly to the strategic objectives of the European Union and NATO, and have called explicitly for their countries’ membership of these bodies to end.

In Britain, any debate around NATO is almost taboo. The characterisation by the British press of the Brexit debate as being between ignorant nationalists versus sophisticated pro-Europeans may also be at play in preventing a clear-headed analysis of NATO’s role in Britain as well as in Europe. In the face of a huge energy crisis, European leaders still prioritise politics and ideology over people’s lives and the economy, by playing tough with Russia and closely following the US.

The overview below records some of the recent protests, with their mix of both left and right wing opposition to their governments’ policies.

FINLAND 

Progressive and anti-war sectors in Finland continue to protest against the country’s bid for NATO membership. Demonstrators last June claimed that Finland’s accession to the US-led military alliance will make it part of the nexus against the people of the world, and is not in the interest of the Finnish people. The political establishment in Finland used the pretext of the Ukraine war to run a campaign claiming that joining NATO was essential for the country’s security.

NORWAY 

Peace campaigners in Norway have slammed an agreement that gives the US exclusive and unhindered access to its military bases. Norway For Peace and the Communist Party of Norway also protested against the weakening last year of Norway’s seven decade long foreign policy, which barred the presence of foreign military bases on Norwegian soil. Norway has become an increasingly important host of, and participant in, NATO-US military exercises in the Scandinavian region. This was probably a major cause of Russia’s “enough is enough” moment.

GERMANY 

Every Monday evening in recent weeks, rallies several hundred strong have taken place in towns and cities across eastern Germany to protest against growing economic hardship and the consequences of NATO aggression against Russia. In Leipzig, eastern Germany’s biggest city after Berlin, left and right political groups have often found themselves protesting at the same time on Augustusplatz. “Ordinary Germans are paying because America wants to interfere in Russia” said an unemployed man from Brandenburg succinctly, adding that his bills were going up and his chances of getting a job going down.

In stark contrast to the response by the British peace movement, the German Peace Council clearly identifies NATO as the aggressor in the current conflict.

CZECH REPUBLIC 

Huge demonstrations - in one case around 70,000 strong - took place in Prague last September, calling on the government to do more to control soaring energy prices and demanding the resignation of prime minister Petre Fiala. The protest at Wenceslas Square in the city centre was held a day after the government survived a no-confidence vote amid opposition claims of inaction against inflation and energy costs. “Russia’s not our enemy, the government of warmongers is the enemy”, one speaker said. The refugee crisis was also a concern in the minds of protesters. Around 500,000 Ukrainians fled to the Czech Republic last year, making up 4% of the Czech population, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

AUSTRIA 

Provoked by soaring energy prices, inflation and other issues, anti-government protesters held rallies in Vienna last September while chanting slogans opposing EU sanctions on Russia. Against the backdrop of an unpopular and divided government dogged by corruption scandals, Austria’s populist, right-wing Freedom party has gained much support through naming EU sanctions against Russia as the cause of the mounting economic hardship faced by working class Austrians. Former foreign minister Karen Kneissl has said that the political and economic situation in Austria is rapidly deteriorating.

FRANCE 

In October, thousands of protesters marched through Paris in a demonstration mainly ignored by French media. Organised by The Patriots, a nationalist, Eurosceptic party, the demonstration attracted a lot of support from wider French society. The protesters denounced NATO warmongering and economic disruption linked to the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia. Led by a large banner proclaiming RESISTANCE, people chanted “Let’s get out of NATO” while other placards called for Frexit - France’s exit from the EU.

ITALY 

The future of Italy’s military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia was cast into doubt after thousands of people took to the streets of Rome and Milan in October, to protest against the shipment of arms to Kiev. Local media reported that protesters held banners, placards and rainbow flags. They demanded negotiation and diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis. The demonstrators included representatives of trade unions, student groups and cultural associations. Growing numbers of Italians argue that following EU and NATO policy on Ukraine risks prolonging the war and diverting resources the government should be spending at home.

MOLDOVA 

One of the poorest countries in Europe, Moldova is paying a high price for its government’s hardline pro-EU, pro-NATO stance on Ukraine, led by prime minister Maia Sandu. Formerly an exclusive user of Russian gas, Moldova’s sanctions against Russia have resulted in Gazprom cutting supplies by 30% and demanding the payment of outstanding debts. Gas bills have gone up by 27% and inflation by 33%, while most Moldovans have been plunged into a devastating cost of living crisis. 7000 protesters marched in the capital calling for Maia Sandu’s resignation, some even setting up camp outside her house and refusing to leave until she did.

GREECE 

In December, Greek communists demonstrated at the site of a derailed train carrying US army equipment, which had arrived at the port of Alexandroupolis. “Alexandroupolis is a port of the people and not a base for imperialists” declared the protesters, as well as “No involvement, no participation in the war, the bases must be closed down and US troops must go”. While the Greek Communist Party holds both Russia and the US responsible for the war in Ukraine, it still manages to protest effectively against NATO’s manoeuvrings.

PORTUGAL 

In Portugal in December hundreds of people attended demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto in support of a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine. The Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation said, “We are here today because Peace is urgent and it is necessary to raise the struggle for Peace to new heights to stop the warmongering madness that commands the policies of the EU and European governments, completely servile to the interests of the United States.”

SPAIN 

The NATO summit was held in Madrid in June 2022 and led to several protests, including a 5000 strong demonstration. A second planned march was banned by the authorities on security grounds. While some banners condemned Russia as well as NATO, others focused their attention on NATO’s role, saying “No to NATO, no to War, for Peace.”. Some called for NATO bases in Spain to be closed. Concha Hoyos, a retired Madrid resident said, “I am fed up [with] this business of arms and killing people. The solution they propose is more arms and wars and we always pay for it. So no NATO, no [army] bases, let the Americans go and leave us alone without wars and weapons,” (Al Jazeera 26/6/22)

WAKE-UP CALL

The fact that the right is making ground with opposition to the war and EU policy should be a wake-up call to the left to fight on these issues and not allow the right the space to seem to defend people’s interests.

 

Anti-NATO demonstration in Stockholm May 2022. Photo by Alexandar Vujadinovic