The Nazi censorship machine is back. In the former eastern German border town of Halberstadt, the extreme right-wing National Democratic Party raised a fuss about a March 8 concert there. The npd said the concert’s motto—“Nazis get out of our town”—was an “unacceptable form of political campaigning for left-wing parties ahead of state elections on March 26” (Deutsche Welle, March 9). So, “fearing a major conflict with neo-Nazis,” local authorities buckled and cancelled the event.

The rising influence of right-wingers in Germany on the local level is sweeping across what is widely regarded as a secular, liberal-socialist Continent.

European populations are electing more right-leaning candidates: In Germany and Poland, for example, conservatives now lead their respective countries and enjoy soaring popularity levels. Conservative parties, even extreme-right groups, have gained more seats in national legislatures and the European Parliament over the past half decade. Their success encourages neo-fascist groups and even increases their political influence. One such group in Poland helped shut down a gay and lesbian demonstration last November, attacked one a year prior, and has now made headlines for compiling “black lists” of and targeting anti-Nazis (ibid., March 4).

The political rise of the right is a democratic representation of a shifting psychology among Europe’s citizens. Last year, the Council of Europe found that “racism … as well as anti-Semitism … has increased alarmingly in France. In Austria … racism is a part of daily life.”

Coinciding with this trend toward political conservatism is a movement toward religious conservatism in the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican, under Benedict xvi, is more conservative than ever.

Conservatism as a political ideology, in and of itself, tends to contribute toward social and moral stability and is far preferable to those that erode family and discourage industry. The reason this trend bears closer scrutiny within Europe is the shameful history of extremist right-wing thinking, even within living memory, on the Continent.

The Trumpet has been warning of a rise in right-wing European politics for some time—Germany being the key nation to watch.

We do not expect the npd or neo-Nazis to hijack the country—the stigma attached to such extremists by the majority of Europeans is simply too strong. But their increasing influence shows the growing power of their views.

Bible prophecy indicates that a strong politician will soon come to power within Germany—perhaps more of a center-right figure who appeals to the extreme right, but who is sophisticated enough to appeal to a much broader swath of a right-leaning populace.

The similar pattern being played out in other European countries only supports the idea that the rest of Europe will one day unite behind this man, with the help of the Vatican—except for Britain. The UK’s center-right and far-right completely oppose giving up sovereignty to a federalist superstate—a political platform that will contribute to Britain’s secession from the Union.

A rise in conservative government is reminiscent of a Europe just before World War ii. A right-wing Europe will soon unite completely to meet the threats of our modern world. Watch this shift in European psychology reach the point where Germans, and Europeans as a whole, cry out for that “all-European Hitler,” whom we have said is coming.

Keep a close eye on trends within European politics. The stage is rapidly being set for a nightmarish repeat of the dark days of the last world war.