The Radical Right and anti-Vax protests in Europe and Beyond

Abstract

Mobilisations opposed to vaccinations and other Covid-related measures have dominated the protest arena in recent years. Initially, in 2020, demonstrations were characterized by public frustration with lockdown measures, economic hardships, and the difficult situation of health care. In the winter of 2021, as vaccination campaigns gained momentum, a new wave of protests emerged, focusing on mandatory vaccination, restrictions, and civil liberties. The debate around vaccine passports and their implications for personal freedom fuelled protests in several European countries and beyond (USA, Canada). Radical right groups dominated the Covid-related protest arena in many European countries such as Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, etc... While some protests remained peaceful, others turned violent, resulting in clashes with the police. Conspiracy narratives have been developed as well as new networks and alliances across different types of movements and civil society groups protesting (such as radical right, anti-gender, single-issue groups) were established. The Pandemic and the protests related to it opened a new window of opportunities for the empowerment (and disempowering) of various collective actors. In some countries, for instance, in Hungary, newly emerged radical right parties leveraged the pandemic to amplify their anti-establishment narratives. These parties and their activists actively participated in Covid-related protests. These protests provided a platform for them to mobilise supporters, promote their political agenda, and align with segments of the population frustrated with pandemic-related measures. As a result of anti-vaccine and Covid-related mobilisations, some radical right parties were successful in the national or local elections and gained seats in the national assembly. Against this background, this panel explores from different angles Covid-related movements and protests in different countries both in Europe and beyond, their frames and narratives, networks and repertoire of actions, including violence. Comparative analyses are welcome: ▪️ What were the consequences of the Covid-related protests on the party system, movement parties and the election results for the radical-right parties? ▪️ How did the RR Covid-related protests interact with other issues, claims and collective actors? ▪️ How have activists' individual political trajectories developed since the protests? We will also seek papers addressing relevant questions about the relationship between anti-vax or other Covid-related protests and radical right actors: ▪️ What were the consequences of the Covid-related protests on the party system, movement parties and the election results for the radical-right parties? ▪️ How did the RR Covid-related protests interact with other issues, claims and collective actors?

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