Far-Right Surge in europe: A new Political Reality
Far-right parties are poised to become the dominant force on the right in europe within the next decade, according to experts. This shift comes as mainstream conservative parties increasingly adopt hardline agendas, notably on immigration, in a bid to reclaim lost votes.
In Germany, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance recently sparked outrage when their leader, Friedrich Merz, broke a longstanding pledge by collaborating with the far-right Option für Deutschland (AfD) to pass a non-binding motion calling for a drastic crackdown on immigration. Alice Weidel, the AfD leader, celebrated the move, calling it “a historic day for Germany.” This marked the first time the Bundestag passed a vote with AfD support, a significant milestone ahead of this month’s elections.
Though, the victory was short-lived. Amid widespread protests, the German parliament later rejected a similar draft law, thanks in part to rebel members of Merz’s own party. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the move, labeling it “wrong.”
The trend is not confined to Germany. In France, centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou’s controversial remarks about French citizens feeling “submerged” by immigration were seized upon by the far-right National Rally as proof that they had “won the ideological battle.” Simultaneously occurring, in Austria, talks between the mainstream Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the pro-Kremlin Freedom Party (FPÖ), which advocates for expelling all asylum seekers, are progressing steadily.
Key Developments in Europe’s Far-Right Rise
Table of Contents
- The Rise of the Far Right: How Mainstream Parties Are Fueling Their Own Decline
- The Rise of Far-Right Parties Across Europe: A Political Shift in 2024
- The Rise of Far-Right Parties in Europe: A Political Shift in the Making
- teh Rise of Far-Right Parties in Europe: A Political Shift in the Making
| Country | Event | Impact |
|————-|———–|————|
| Germany | CDU/CSU collaborates with AfD on immigration motion | Breaks political taboo, sparks protests |
| France | Bayrou’s remarks on immigration | Far-right claims ideological victory |
| Austria | ÖVP-FPÖ coalition talks | Potential shift in asylum policy |
The rise of far-right parties across europe underscores a broader ideological shift, with immigration at the center of the debate. As mainstream parties increasingly adopt far-right rhetoric, the political landscape of Europe is undergoing a profound transformation.
For more insights into the evolving political dynamics in Europe, explore the latest developments and their implications.
The Rise of the Far Right: How Mainstream Parties Are Fueling Their Own Decline
Across Europe, the political landscape is shifting dramatically as far-right parties gain unprecedented influence. Once considered fringe movements, these groups are now leading governments in countries like the Netherlands and Italy, while Austria is poised to elect its first far-right chancellor since World War II. This surge is not happening in isolation—it’s being fueled by the very mainstream parties that once sought to contain them.
The Vicious Cycle of Accommodation
For decades,mainstream European parties on both the right and left maintained a united front against the far right. in Germany, this was known as the Brandmauer (firewall), while in France, it was called the cordon sanitaire.These barriers were designed to prevent far-right ideas from entering mainstream politics.However, in recent years, center-right parties have increasingly adopted far-right policies and even formed coalitions with these groups.
“We’re in a vicious cycle,” said Tarik Abou-Chadi, an associate professor of European politics at the University of Oxford. “it starts with the radical right being more successful, winning more seats, entering government in more countries.”
When this happens, mainstream parties frequently enough shift rightward on issues like immigration in an attempt to win back voters. “It’s strategic, to win back votes,” Abou-Chadi explained. “So you have this accommodation. Except it doesn’t work—it doesn’t bring the votes back.But two things do happen that reinforce the trend.”
First, norms change. Accommodation normalizes and legitimizes far-right parties,making voting for them no longer a transgression. Second,public opinion shifts. “If mainstream parties say something is really important, people tend to believe it,” Abou-Chadi noted. “And then mainstream parties see that shift in public opinion and think: ‘We have to keep moving further to the right.’ And you end up broadening the coalition of people saying ‘we have to do something’ about immigration.”
The Cannibalization of the Center-Right
Despite these efforts,political scientists argue that the strategy of accommodation is backfiring. Electoral and polling evidence from multiple countries suggests that mainstream center-right parties are being “cannibalized” by the far right. Instead of reclaiming lost voters, they are losing ground to more radical alternatives.
This trend is evident in the Netherlands, where Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party now leads the government, and in Italy, where Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy dominate the political scene. In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party is on track to lead the country’s first far-right government since World War II.
A Changing Political Landscape
The rise of the far right is reshaping European politics in profound ways. Mainstream parties, once the guardians of democratic norms, are now complicit in eroding them. By adopting far-right policies and legitimizing these groups, they are accelerating their own decline.
As Abou-Chadi put it,“You end up broadening the coalition of people saying ‘we have to do something’ about immigration.” But in doing so, they are also broadening the appeal of the far right, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that shows no signs of slowing down.
| Key Developments in Far-Right Politics |
|——————————————–|
| Netherlands: Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party leads the government. |
| italy: Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy dominate the political scene.|
| Austria: The far-right Freedom Party is set to lead the government for the first time since WWII. |
| Germany & France: mainstream parties are increasingly adopting far-right policies. |
the question now is whether mainstream parties can break this cycle—or if they will continue to fuel the rise of the far right.
For more insights into the shifting political landscape, explore our coverage of Geert Wilders’ government in the Netherlands and the far-right’s resurgence in Austria.
The Rise of Far-Right Parties Across Europe: A Political Shift in 2024
Europe is witnessing a significant political transformation as far-right parties gain momentum across the continent. from Italy to Austria, and France to the Czech republic, these movements are reshaping the political landscape, challenging traditional conservative and liberal parties.
Italy: Giorgia Meloni’s Dominance
In Italy, Giorgia Meloni’s far-right coalition, which won the 2022 elections, continues to dominate the political scene. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has solidified its position as a leading force in the rightist bloc, setting a precedent for other far-right movements in Europe.
Austria: FPÖ’s Electoral Triumph
The recent September elections in Austria saw Herbert Kickl’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) defeat the conservative ÖVP to emerge as the leading party. This victory underscores the growing appeal of far-right ideologies in a country traditionally dominated by centrist and conservative parties.
France: Marine Le pen’s Rising Influence
In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) has become the largest single party in parliament, far outpacing the mainstream Les Républicains. Le Pen’s party has successfully expanded its base, capitalizing on anti-immigration sentiments and economic discontent.
Far-right parties are also making strides in Scandinavia and eastern Europe. In Finland and Croatia, they are key members of conservative-led coalitions, while in Sweden, they provide crucial parliamentary support.The Czech Republic is poised to see a far-right coalition come to power later this year, further cementing the trend.
| Country | Far-Right Party | Recent Achievement |
|——————–|—————————–|—————————————————————————————-|
| Italy | Brothers of Italy | Dominates the rightist bloc since 2022 |
| Austria | Freedom Party (FPÖ) | Won the September 2024 elections |
| France | National Rally (RN) | Largest single party in parliament |
| Czech Republic | Various far-right parties | On track to lead a coalition in 2024 |
The Broader Implications
The rise of far-right parties across Europe reflects a broader shift in voter sentiment, driven by concerns over immigration, national identity, and economic instability. These parties have successfully tapped into public discontent, positioning themselves as alternatives to traditional political elites.
as Europe grapples with these changes, the implications for the European Union and its policies remain uncertain. The growing influence of far-right movements could lead to significant shifts in areas such as immigration, climate policy, and international relations.
For more insights into the evolving political landscape,subscribe to our newsletter for analysis and opinion on the week’s news and culture.
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Rise of Far-Right Parties in Europe: A Political Shift in the Making
Recent developments across Europe suggest a seismic shift in the political landscape, with far-right parties gaining unprecedented momentum. From the UK to Germany and the Netherlands, these parties are not only challenging mainstream political forces but also reshaping the electoral dynamics.
The UK: Reform Party Overtakes Conservatives
in the UK,Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration Reform party has surged ahead of the Conservative party in several polls. This comes after the Conservatives adopted a hardline stance on immigration, including a controversial bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. “Far-right parties advance in waves, and we are certainly seeing an acceleration,” said Sarah de Lange, a professor of political pluralism at the University of Amsterdam. “In several countries, they have become the biggest party, and in politics, that matters.”
Mainstream Parties’ Missteps
De Lange argues that mainstream parties like Germany’s CDU and the Netherlands’ People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) made a “mistaken assumption” by thinking that toughening their stance on immigration would win back votes. “The radical right clearly has more credibility hear,” she said.“And mainstream center-right parties have been in office across Europe over the past few years. Voters simply ask why, if immigration was so critically important, they did nothing about it.”
The Impact of Collaboration
Abou-Chadi, a political analyst, highlights that far-right parties benefit electorally when mainstream parties collaborate with them. “We’ve seen it time and time again,” he said. “Even signalling a willingness to cooperate strengthens them.” However, as long as a cordon sanitaire—a political firewall—exists, voters who support far-right agendas are less likely to vote for these parties, knowing they have little chance of entering government.
The Danger of Crumbling Firewalls
Once this firewall crumbles, the floodgates open. Nathalie Tocci, director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, warns that mainstream parties’ willingness to work with the far-right is “political suicide.” “When moderate parties rule out cooperation with the radical right, citizens know … a vote for the far right is wasted,” she said. “But when they wink at the far right, that disincentive evaporates. And voters tend to prefer the original to the copy.”
The Future of Europe’s Centre-Right
Abou-Chadi predicts that Europe’s centre-right parties could be subsumed by the far-right within 10 to 15 years.“It’s already happened in some countries; in others, it’s under way. We still talk about them as if they’re fringe.That has to change.” De Lange agrees, noting that far-right parties are now scoring up to 30% in polls, while mainstream parties’ share declines and the left becomes increasingly fragmented. “All that makes it look possible,” she said.
| Key Trends in European Politics |
|————————————-|
| Far-right parties gaining momentum |
| Mainstream parties losing ground |
| Increasing fragmentation on the left|
| Centre-right parties at risk |
Conclusion
The rise of far-right parties in Europe is not just a temporary trend but a significant political shift. As mainstream parties grapple with their strategies, the future of European politics hangs in the balance. Will the centre-right survive, or will it be absorbed by the far-right? Only time will tell.
For more insights into the evolving political landscape, explore our analysis on European elections and the rise of populism.
teh Rise of Far-Right Parties in Europe: A Political Shift in the Making
Recent developments across Europe suggest a seismic shift in the political landscape, with far-right parties gaining unprecedented momentum. From the UK to Germany and the Netherlands, these parties are not only challenging mainstream political forces but also reshaping the electoral dynamics.
The UK: Reform Party Overtakes Conservatives
In the UK,Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration Reform Party has surged ahead of the Conservative Party in several polls. This comes after the Conservatives adopted a hardline stance on immigration, including a controversial bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. “Far-right parties advance in waves, and we are certainly seeing an acceleration,” said Sarah de Lange, a professor of political pluralism at the university of Amsterdam. “In several countries, they have become the biggest party, and in politics, that matters.”
Mainstream Parties’ Missteps
De Lange argues that mainstream parties like Germany’s CDU and the Netherlands’ People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) made a “mistaken assumption” by thinking that toughening their stance on immigration would win back votes. “The radical right clearly has more credibility here,” she said. “And mainstream center-right parties have been in office across Europe over the past few years. Voters simply ask why, if immigration was so critically crucial, they did nothing about it.”
the Impact of Collaboration
Abou-Chadi, a political analyst, highlights that far-right parties benefit electorally when mainstream parties collaborate with them. “We’ve seen it time and time again,” he said. “Even signaling a willingness to cooperate strengthens them.” However, as long as a cordon sanitaire—a political firewall—exists, voters who support far-right agendas are less likely to vote for these parties, knowing they have little chance of entering government.
The Danger of Crumbling Firewalls
Once this firewall crumbles, the floodgates open. Nathalie Tocci, director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, warns that mainstream parties’ willingness to work with the far-right is “political suicide.” “When moderate parties rule out cooperation with the radical right,citizens know … a vote for the far right is wasted,” she said. “But when they wink at the far right, that disincentive evaporates. And voters tend to prefer the original to the copy.”
The Future of Europe’s Center-Right
Abou-Chadi predicts that Europe’s center-right parties could be subsumed by the far-right within 10 to 15 years. “It’s already happened in some countries; in others, it’s under way. We still talk about them as if they’re fringe. That has to change.” De Lange agrees, noting that far-right parties are now scoring up to 30% in polls, while mainstream parties’ share declines and the left becomes increasingly fragmented. “All that makes it look possible,” she said.
| Key Trends in European Politics |
|---|
| Far-right parties gaining momentum |
| mainstream parties losing ground |
| Increasing fragmentation on the left |
| Centre-right parties at risk |
Conclusion
The rise of far-right parties in Europe is not just a temporary trend but a meaningful political shift. As mainstream parties grapple with their strategies, the future of European politics hangs in the balance.Will the center-right survive, or will it be absorbed by the far-right? Only time will tell.
For more insights into the evolving political landscape, explore our analysis on European elections and the rise of populism.
