The success of the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party in Russia’s parliamentary elections last week may have been shocking, but Russian voters are not unique — xenophobic, ultra-right-wing parties have fared remarkably well in recent elections in a number of countries.
Italy Dec. 1993
Gianfranco Fini’s neofascist Italian Social Movement wins 16.4% of the vote in 428 municipal elections throughout the country, adding 14 new mayors.
Austria May 1993
Jorg Haider’s right-wing Freedom Party wins 12% of the vote in provincial elections in Lower Austria.
France March 1993
Jean-Marie Le Pen’s right-wing National Front wins 12.5% of the vote in parliamentary elections with anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Germany March 1993
Former Waffen SS Sergeant Franz Schonhuber’s Republikaner Party wins 9.5% of the vote in local elections in Frankfurt.
U.S. Feb. 1992
While he does not advocate annexing Canada, Patrick Buchanan runs on an “America First” platform and wins 37% of the Republicans in the New Hampshire primary.
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