Pandemie-Leugnung und extreme Rechte

Protests against the measures taken to contain the Covid 19 pandemic have occurred in numerous European countries since the spring of 2020. Some of these have pointed to serious political consequences (democratic deficit) or negative economic impacts; others have spread narratives about the “true background” of the pandemic or the measures taken in the political arena. In view of the symbols of the extreme right that already appeared in the early phase of the protests, such as flags in the colors black-white-red, the question was quickly discussed to what extent and with what prospects of success protagonists of the extreme right participated in these protests. This article is based on a study that investigated these questions using the example of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is supplemented and updated by selected results of other studies.