Description: Police forces have arrested 6 people pertaining to an armed far – right group called Movimiento Armilar Lusitano (MAL) under suspicion of conducting terrorist and other anti – establishment activities. Police tracked the members of the group through social media and other forms of digital surveillance through which they gathered evidence of extremist and anti – establishment views and a certain plan of action aimed towards attacking public institutions. The raid resulted in the discovery of several weapons and larger amounts of explosives as well as unidentified building plans. The arrests follow a growing trend of popularity spread across Europe which in some cases adopts extremist methods in achieving their goals.
Impact: Portugal was recently destabilized by the inconclusive results delivered by the parliamentary elections which saw incumbent Prime Minister Luis Montenegro winning but failing to secure the majority support. Chega, Portugal’s main far – right political party was second in the election threatening to become the equivalent of the AfD in Germany as the main political disruptor in the country. Far – right extremism poses a significant threat to Europe’s collective security originating and being related mostly to Europe’s immigration problems. Similar far – right elements would continue to infiltrate the political and social establishments of many European countries threatening internal stability and safety across the continent.