It starts with a name. Kalergi. To far-right corners of the internet, it’s code for a shadowy plot to erase European culture. A so-called “plan” driven by Jewish elites to replace white Europeans through immigration and racial mixing.
Only – none of it is true.
The “Kalergi Plan” is a modern antisemitic conspiracy with no basis in fact. But like many lies online, it twists history into hate. And once it spreads, it’s hard to undo.
Who Was Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi?
Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi (1894–1972) wasn’t a politician or general. He was a philosopher with a vision: a peaceful, united Europe.
Born to a Japanese mother and Austrian diplomat father, Kalergi believed that cooperation – not conflict – was the only way to prevent future wars. In 1923, he launched the Pan-European Movement, calling for unity across borders. His first congress gathered 2,000 delegates. He dreamed of what we now know as the European Union. The Nazis hated it. Kalergi’s ideals of multiculturalism and peace threatened their race-based ideology. When Hitler came to power, Kalergi’s books were burned, and he was forced into exile.
But he never gave up on his vision. After the war, he returned to help rebuild Europe.
Where the Lie Comes In
Kalergi never wrote a “plan.” That phrase didn’t even exist during his lifetime. The myth was born decades later – invented by Austrian neo-Nazi Gerd Honsik in the early 2000s. Honsik twisted lines from Kalergi’s 1925 book Practical Idealism to claim that he wanted to destroy Europe’s white population and replace it with a mixed-race society led by Jews.
This wasn’t interpretation – it was fabrication.
Why the “Kalergi Plan” Is Antisemitic
Because it checks all the boxes:
- It scapegoats Jews for immigration and globalization
- It revives Nazi-era tropes about Jewish control and “white genocide”
- It spreads fear of a secret plot – led by a hidden elite
- It targets both Jews and immigrants, fueling division and hate
And most dangerously – it’s spreading.
How It Took Off Online
Social media gave the conspiracy new life. Posts, memes, and low-budget videos amplified it in far-right spaces – especially during migration crises or times of economic fear. Once embedded in online communities, it became a rallying cry: simple, sinister, and viral. But lies don’t become truth just because they go viral
Nowhere in his work did he outline anything like a “Kalergi Plan.” The phrase never existed during his lifetime.
Where Did the “Kalergi Plan” Come From?
The myth of the “Kalergi Plan” didn’t appear until decades after his death. It was invented by Austrian neo-Nazi Gerd Honsik in the early 2000s. Honsik took parts of Practical Idealism out of context and falsely claimed that Kalergi wanted to destroy Europe’s white population and replace it with a mixed-race society led by Jews.
According to this conspiracy theory, mass immigration is not just a policy issue – it is part of a secret effort to commit “white genocide.” Jews are framed as both the masterminds and the beneficiaries. But none of this is true. Kalergi never promoted forced migration, never advocated racial replacement, and never suggested Jewish domination.
This theory is not just wrong – it is dangerous.
How It Took Off Online
Social media gave the conspiracy new life. Posts, memes, and low-budget videos amplified it in far-right spaces – especially during migration crises or times of economic fear. Once embedded in online communities, it became a rallying cry: simple, sinister, and viral. But lies don’t become truth just because they go viral.
The Real Legacy of Kalergi
Kalergi didn’t preach destruction – he preached unity. His work was about bringing people together after a century of war. He saw cultural exchange as natural, not threatening. The idea that he was secretly plotting Europe’s downfall isn’t just wrong – it’s a deliberate attempt to rewrite history for hateful ends.
The Bottom Line
The “Kalergi Plan” is fake – but the antisemitism it spreads is very real. And it’s not just about the past. It’s happening now, online, where conspiracies spread faster than facts. Let’s stop this one in its tracks.
