Fear put at heart of far right's Europe rise

Fear among Europe's voters has carried far-right parties to the fore in many countries, according to the leader of a center-left alliance in Italy.

Enrico Letta, leader of Italy's Democratic Party, told The Associated Press gains made by a populist party in Sweden is proof of that fear.

"Fears are today a big part of the way in which our societies are living," the former premier said, as a far-right alliance led by Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy looked poised to win Italian elections on Sept 25.