EP’s Dangerous Revisionism

A Dangerous Precedent: How the EUropean Parliament’s resolution on Russia’s disinformation distorts history and undermines Europe’s anti-fascist legacy.

Walter Baier, President of the European Left

In a resolution adopted on 23 January¹, the European Parliament has used the justified condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine to push a revisionist interpretation of modern history.

The resolution suggesting a radical shift in how the history of WW II should be judged was backed by members of ECR, ESN, PPE, PfE, Renew, S&D, Verts/ALE, while the majority of The Left² voted against it. (For the voting behavior of the MEPs refer here – page 67)

As Europe prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the majority of the European Parliament downplays the “liberation of Europe from National Socialism” to a mere “narrative used to justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

It further claims that World War II began because of a “joint conspiracy between two totalitarian regimes to divide Europe into spheres of influence.” This perspective ignores key events that shaped the road to war—including the Western democracies’ betrayal of the Spanish Republic, the annexation of Austria, and the Munich Agreement that handed Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany. The resolution replaces the historical anti-fascist unity between Western democracies and the Soviet Union with an “anti-totalitarian” narrative that focuses solely on Soviet crimes, while overlooking the Nazi-led extermination campaign carried out on Soviet territory.

If today we enjoy democratic systems in Europe, public services, and a way of life, it is thanks to the sacrifice of millions of Soviet, Spanish, French, German, and North American soldiers, as well as countless civilians from all nations, who united in the face of the barbarity of Nazism to defend life and democracy.

The current Russian government’s exploitation of the victory over Nazi Germany to justify its policies cannot be ignored, nor can the Israeli government’s manipulation of Holocaust remembrance to defend its genocidal war against the Palestinians. Both distortions of history must be firmly rejected. However, opposing these misuses must not lead to revisionist narratives that align with the far right’s efforts to whitewash historical atrocities.

The resolution ultimately calls for an EU-wide ban on the use of both Nazi and Soviet communist symbols, stating that their presence in public spaces should be condemned. Regardless of one’s views on communism, it is crucial to recognize the dangerous implications of such a measure. Hundreds of liberation monuments across Europe would have to be removed. Even Austria’s national coat of arms, which features hammer and sickle, could fall under this ban.

By supporting this resolution, democratic Members of the European Parliament—including Social Democrats, Greens, Liberals, and a minority within The Left have allowed legitimate condemnation of Russia’s war to be exploited by the right, turning historical revisionism into an official framework. This not only distorts history but also threatens the last remnants of Europe’s anti-fascist culture.

The Consequences of Twisting Historical Memory

Historical revisionism does not stop at political resolutions—it seeps into textbooks, classrooms, and the collective memory of future generations. It risks depriving young people of a truthful understanding of the far-right’s role in leading Europe into war and genocide. If the lessons of the past are distorted or erased, how can new generations recognize the warning signs of rising extremism, authoritarianism, and war?

Education is one of the strongest tools for preventing history from repeating itself. Yet, by enforcing an official narrative that undermines the historical reality of the fight against fascism, the European Parliament is working against the interests of EU citizens and humanity. This is particularly dangerous in a world where nuclear weapons still exist, and international conflicts have the potential to escalate into catastrophic wars. Historical truth is not just about the past—it is about securing a peaceful future.

It is necessary to combat historical revisionism in order to defend democracy and preserve the historical memory of our peoples. That is why the Party of the European Left will launch a campaign to commemorate the liberation of various countries from Nazism, ensuring that the memory of those who fought for democracy in Europe is honored and remembered.

[1] Resolution on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine, adopted by European Parliament in January 2025.

[2] ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) – Right-wing to Far-Right group. ESN (Europe of Sovereigni Nations) – Far-Right and Nationalist Parties. PPE (European People’s Party) – Center-Right to Right-wing group. PfE (Patriots for Europe) – Far-Right Alliance. Renew (Renew Europe) – Centrist, Liberal. former ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe). S&D (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) – Center-Left. Verts/ALE (Greens/European Free Alliance) – Greens. The Left (European United Left–Nordic Green Left) – Left-wing to Far-Left group.