Good Night, Far Right — Antifascist Strategies

From Trump to Milei, from Netanyahu to Meloni: the far right is on the rise worldwide, taking over parliaments, governments, public discourse and, in some cases, is even dominating the streets. Germany is no exception: The historic vote on migration policy in the Bundestag with votes from the AfD has shown: not only has political discourse shifted massively to the right, but also political practice. The only ones benefiting from this are the right-wing forces in the country, above all the AfD.

A look at other countries prefaces what can happen here if we do not find solid solutions to these developments: wherever the far-right takes power, the hard-earned rights of marginalized groups are curtailed or abolished in the blink of an eye, and the basic principles of democracy are in danger in many places. Social cohesion, often already hanging on by a thread, is being permanently weakened by massive cuts on social spending and active polarization. They are stirring up fear and hatred to make “force and order” appear the only solution.

There seems to be no alternative to growing far-right. While the economic elites and political forces from the center-right pact with the far-right without a second thought, providing them access to decision-making positions, progressives and the left are seemingly powerless in the face of this development.

Nevertheless, there is resistance. In parliaments, in courts, on the streets there are even success stories. These seemingly small successes, such as innovative social and urban policies at a local level have had a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of people. There were big victories as well, such as Lula's election victory in Brazil - a hard-won success. This does not mean, however, that Bolsonarism has been overcome or that Lula is ruling without contradiction.
What options for action do we, the (international) left, have in the midst of shrinking spaces and polarization, how do we manage to resolutely oppose right-wing developments and at the same time think beyond them and create viable utopias? How do we get back to positive narratives about the future that fight against the fear in people's minds and appeal to their emotions, encourage them and mobilize them?

Between 27 and 30 March 2025, we will be gathering activists, members of political parties, organizations and initiatives from Latin America, Israel, Europe, the United States, India, Sri Lanka, and Germany in Berlin who have made it their priority to confront reactionary forces and far-right governments in their respective contexts. At the international conference Good Night, Far Right, we want to exchange experiences and strategies, encourage each other, and learn from the failures of left-wing projects. Close connection to political practice are at the core of this conference; we want to focus on the everyday struggles of defense, successful projects, and failed strategies and network left-wing actors worldwide.

We hope that the conference create space for discussions on the genesis, strategies and international connections of the far-right as well as about counter-strategies. What is the relationship between evangelicals in the USA and Latin America and the far-right in Israel? How can we defend ourselves against anti-migrant, anti-feminist and anti-left discourses? How can we leave our defensive positions, channel the discontent in society in such a way that it becomes a positive mobilizing force putting us in the offensive for political and socio-ecological change?

We don't just want to analyze the situation or mourn the rise of the far-right. We want this meeting to contribute to the development of strategies, ideas, and networks that will turn the tide and strengthen our political camp. We believe that the internationalist, multiregional character of this conference is essential for this.

This event is the result of cooperation with partner organizations that has emerged as part of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundations international and national work on the “fight against the far right”. Following the conference, a Speakers Tour will take place for us to discuss and strengthen counter-strategies in various federal German states.

Program summary

Thursday, March 27

• In the morning: International networking meeting (internal)
• Afternoon: 6 parallel workshops, panels and sessions
  - Against authoritarian regression - anti-racist and feminist interventions for the society of the many (panel in the main hall)
  - Transformative organizing as a strategy against the right
  - Strategic movement mapping: building unlikely alliances and resilient coalitions (tbc)
  - Understanding fascization - strategies for social anti-fascism
  - Solidarity, dissent, resilience
  - Memory politics
  - Monitoring as a counter-strategy

Friday, March 28

• Morning: International networking meeting (internal)
• Afternoon: 5 parallel workshops, panels and sessions
  - Municipal solutions and socio-political answers (panel in the main hall)
  - Out of the left bubble - Organizing in East Germany
  - Fake news & social media
  - Strong on the outside, strong on the inside
  - Strategic Movement Mapping - Building Unlikely Alliances and Resilient Coalitions
• In the evening: panel: Internationalist responses to the global advance of the far right

Saturday, March 29

• Morning: International networking meeting (internal)
  Silencing of Palestinian Voices: Shrinking Spaces and Counter-Strategies in Germany
• Afternoon: 6 parallel workshops, panels and sessions
  - How do democracies deal with right-wing extremist parties? (Panel in the main hall)
  - The role of trade unions in the fight against the far right
  - Queer feminist approaches and counter-strategies
  - Internal and external political dynamics in the far right (skills sharing)
  - Climate crisis and the far right
  - Mobilizing youth against the far right
• In the evening: Cultural program - anti-fascist songs

Sunday, March 30

• In the morning: Matinee event: Internationalist responses to the global advance of the far right
• Closing of the conference

The full conference program with detailed information can be downloaded here.

Registration

You can register for the conference and for the respective workshops and sessions here:

Register

Registration for the desired workshops/panels is required in order to participate in the conference.

The conference will be held in English, German and Spanish, with simultaneous or consecutive translation.

Press representatives please contact our press spokesperson: alrun.kaune-nuesslein@rosalux.org

Childcare

Childcare is available during the conference. The exact times when childcare is available are:
 
Thursday, 27.03 1:45-7:45 p.m.
Friday, 28.03 1:45-7:45 p.m.
Saturday, 29.03 1:45-7:45 p.m.
Sunday, 30.03 10. 45 a.m. - 2. 15 p.m.
 
Due to capacity constraints, registration for childcare is now closed. If you have already registered and indicated on the registration form that you need childcare, we have taken this into account. If you have registered for childcare, please come to the Infopoint when you arrive at the Foundation. The children will be picked up there for childcare.