Elite Funding, Climate Vandalism, and the Global Turn Towards Fascism

In recent years, a noticeable shift towards far-right and populist movements has emerged across the globe, often backed by significant financial support from the elite. This trend raises critical questions about the future of democratic governance, the potential rise of fascism on a global scale, and the severe environmental degradation spearheaded by these powerful factions; and the question we should all be asking ourselves is, are these elites and their decisions, really in our interest, as they try to convince us they are. Analyzing the undercurrents of this political shift reveals how the confluence of money, power, and environmental exploitation is reshaping our political and ecological landscape.

A detailed investigation by The Guardian and its partners under the project named Transparency Gap reveals a stark reality: a quarter of all private political donations in the European Union are funnelled into far-right, far-left, and populist parties. Between 2019 and 2022, these groups amassed €150 million in private donations, significantly boosting their war chests ahead of pivotal elections. Far-right parties alone accounted for over €97 million of this sum, reflecting a strategic consolidation of financial resources aimed at influencing political outcomes.

In France, for instance, the financial backing for extremist parties has surged dramatically. The far-right parties, including Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and the more extreme Reconquête party led by her niece, Marion Maréchal, have seen a dramatic rise in donations. In 2022, these parties took 38% of non-public money raised in France, up from just 13% in 2019. This influx of funds has significantly bolstered their capacity to campaign and influence public opinion. The increase in financial support is mirrored in other countries as well, with similar trends observed in Italy, Hungary, and Poland.

In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party received 55% of all non-public funding in 2022. The far-right Law and Justice party in Poland, a close ally of Orbán’s regime, secured 44% of non-public political donations the same year. These financial boosts are not just about winning elections; they also enable these parties to exert greater influence over public discourse and policy-making processes, often pushing agendas that undermine democratic norms and minority rights.

The environmental implications of this political shift are dire. The elites backing these far-right movements are often the same individuals and corporations driving severe climate vandalism. This includes expanding fossil fuel production, deforestation, and other environmentally destructive activities. The richest 10% of humanity, whose carbon appetite through personal consumption, investment portfolios, and share of government subsidies accounts for about 50% of all emissions, are exacerbating the climate crisis. This disparity in carbon footprints mirrors the broader socio-economic inequalities that are increasingly pronounced in today's world.

Oil companies, backed by wealthy investors, continue to rake in trillions of dollars in profits, planning to expand production despite clear warnings from the International Energy Agency that this will make it impossible to keep global heating within safe limits. For example, oil exploitation off the coast of Mexico has led to severe environmental degradation, affecting local communities that are already vulnerable to climate impacts. Residents of places like El Bosque witness their homes eroding due to frequent storms, with local fishermen expressing resentment towards the visible oil platforms contributing to their plight. In 2023, the world witnessed unprecedented heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, disproportionately affecting poor and marginalized communities while the elite continue to profit from environmental destruction.

The clandestine operations aimed at undermining political adversaries further illustrate the lengths to which some elites will go to maintain their influence. The revelation of ticket touts' secret plans to sabotage Labour’s ticket reforms in the UK, for instance, highlights the covert measures employed by powerful groups to protect their financial interests. Touts and representatives from major resale websites like Viagogo and StubHub pledged significant sums to lobby against Labour’s proposed crackdown on ticket resale practices. This secretive campaign underscores the broader trend of elite interference in democratic processes to safeguard their economic privileges.

During a private event organized by the US-based lobby group Coalition for Ticket Fairness (CTF), some of the UK’s most powerful ticket touts discussed strategies to undermine Labour’s proposed reforms. They pledged ￡73,000 to hire a “bulletproof” political lobbyist and assured anonymity to avoid public backlash. The event, attended by senior figures from the ticket resale industry, demonstrated how financial and political power is wielded behind closed doors to influence public policy and protect vested interests.

The use of intelligence agencies to influence political outcomes and investigations is another concerning trend. The Guardian’s investigation into Israel’s secret operations against the International Criminal Court (ICC) reveals a decade-long campaign to derail investigations into alleged war crimes in Palestine. Mossad’s direct involvement, including the personal engagement of its former director Yossi Cohen, in attempting to pressure and intimidate ICC officials, underscores the lengths to which some states will go to protect their interests and avoid accountability.

Between 2015 and 2024, Israel deployed its intelligence agencies, including the Shin Bet and Unit 8200, to surveil, hack, and intimidate ICC officials. The Mossad, led by Yossi Cohen, targeted ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in a series of covert operations aimed at dissuading her from pursuing investigations into Israeli war crimes. Cohen’s tactics included personal threats and attempts to compromise Bensouda’s security. In one instance, Cohen reportedly ambushed Bensouda during a meeting with Joseph Kabila, then-president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a New York hotel.

The surveillance extended to intercepting communications of ICC officials, providing Israeli leaders with advanced knowledge of the court’s intentions. This covert campaign reflects a broader strategy of using intelligence assets to protect national interests and avoid international scrutiny, often at the expense of justice and accountability.

These developments have significant implications for the future of democracy, justice, and environmental sustainability globally. The financial and covert support for far-right and extremist parties, the manipulation of political processes by powerful elites, and the interference in international justice mechanisms all point towards a troubling erosion of democratic norms and accountability. Moreover, the environmental degradation driven by these elites exacerbates the climate crisis, disproportionately affecting the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few not only skews political systems but also undermines efforts to address climate change effectively. This nexus of political and environmental exploitation represents a significant threat to global stability and equity. The examples of Hungary and Russia show how quickly democratic rights can be eroded under far-right regimes, where freedom of speech, press, and assembly are severely curtailed. In such environments, elections become mere formalities, with real power concentrated in the hands of a few.

The global shift towards far-right politics, funded and supported by powerful elites, poses a significant threat to democratic governance, social justice, and environmental sustainability. This year, with crucial elections taking place around the world, it is more important than ever for voters to recognize the gravity of the situation and the power they hold in their hands. The right to vote, often taken for granted, is a fundamental democratic privilege that must be exercised to protect our collective interests.

As seen in countries like Hungary under Viktor Orbán and Russia under Vladimir Putin, the rise of extreme right-wing parties subsidized by elites can lead to the erosion of basic democratic rights. Voters must remain vigilant and active to prevent a similar fate. The stakes are high, and the potential consequences of apathy are dire. By voting, citizens can uphold democratic values, ensure justice, and advocate for sustainable environmental practices.

Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to promote transparency, accountability, and equity in political, economic, and environmental systems worldwide. Only by confronting these challenges can we hope to preserve democratic values, ensure a more just and equitable future for all, and mitigate the severe impacts of climate change. This year’s elections could be a turning point—voters have the power to steer the world away from the brink of fascism and climate destruction, and towards a path of democracy and sustainability. It is imperative that we act now to safeguard our freedoms and protect the planet for future generations. generations.