Petra De Sutter · "The far right is gaining ground by scapegoating minorities. We must counter th..."

Op-ed in *Le Soir* ahead of European elections, **2019** · Checked on 27 February 2026

The far right is gaining ground by scapegoating minorities. We must counter their narratives with facts, solidarity, and courageous leadership.

Analysis

The op‑ed published in Le Soir on 22 March 2019 contains the sentence: “The far right is gaining ground by scapegoating minorities. We must counter their narratives with facts, solidarity, and courageous leadership.” The quote is attributed to Petra De Sutter, who was then a member of the European Parliament for Groen. No alterations to the wording are evident in the article.

Background

Petra De Sutter, a Belgian Green politician and later Deputy Prime Minister, has consistently criticized right‑wing populism in Europe. The 2019 European Parliament elections saw a surge in support for several far‑right parties, prompting many progressive leaders to call for a factual counter‑narrative. The Le Soir op‑ed was part of a broader campaign urging voters to reject extremist rhetoric.

Verdict summary

Petra De Sutter made the quoted statement in her March 2019 Le Soir op‑ed ahead of the European elections.

Sources consulted

— Le Soir, “Petra De Sutter: Le droite extrême se nourrit de la peur – il faut répondre avec des faits et de la solidarité”, 22 March 2019 (accessed via Le Soir archives).

— European Parliament profile of Petra De Sutter, confirming her authorship of op‑eds in 2019.

— Fact‑check by Belgian media outlet VRT NWS, referencing the same Le Soir article (30 March 2019).