Mapping Violent Right-Wing Extremist Groups: The Cases of Czechia and Slovakia

The second webinar held jointly by GLOBSEC and the Counter Extremism Project aims to delve into the specific framework in which right-wing extremist groups operate in Slovakia and Czechia to identify common patterns, differences and most specifically examine potential approaches that could mitigate the threats that these groups and networks pose to democracy. The event is the final webinar of a two-part series on Central European extreme right-wing movements.

Date: 15th November 2023, on ZOOM  Time: 15:00 – 16:30 CET / 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET

In many European countries right-wing groups and networks have been growing substantially in recent years, including in Central Europe. Many of these movements espouse new right-wing extremist narratives, have a pro-Russian stance and reject globalization as well as - what they term - “western” values. All of these movements reject human equality and try to institutionalize inequality. There are many common elements between the right-wing extremist movements in Czechia and Slovakia which also includes a close association of these groups and networks with pro-Russian narratives.

However, the right-wing extremist scene in both countries consists of a diverse set of actors, ranging from political parties to paramilitary groups. Consequently, sources of financing are diverse and include campaign funds, crowd founding as well as support from foreign governments. This presents a complex set of challenges for countering the threats that these groups and networks pose. Key challenges are the spread of hateful online content and the interconnectivity between different movements on social media which accelerates and spreads radicalization, especially of a new generation of right-wing extremist groups.

Introductory remarks:

Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler, Senior director, Counter Extremism Project

Speakers:

Juraj Kuruc, the radical right in Slovakia

Dr. Miroslav Mareš, extreme right-wing in The Czech Republic

Led by: Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler

The presentations will be followed by a Q&As session open to all participants.

To participate in this webinar please register via this link. Please register up to one hour before the webinar starts so that your registration can be approved in time. Please feel free to forward this invitation to colleagues with an interest in the subject.