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Anne Applebaum: Neo-fascists in Poland suddenly feel enabled and encouraged

Related Topics: Neo-fascism, Poland, Anne Applebaum

Like their comrades in Charlottesville, Poland’s neo-fascists think President Trump’s anti-Islam language is meant to encourage them, too.

Demonstrators burn flares and wave Polish flags during the annual march to commemorate Poland's National Independence Day in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Thousands of nationalists marched in Warsaw on Poland's Independence Day holiday, taking part in an event that was organized by far-right groups. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Like every country in Europe — as well as the United States — Poland has long had a far-right, neo-fascist fringe. It also had a tiny eco-warrior fringe, an Esperanto-speaking fringe and quite a few other grouplets.