The rise of the European far right, characterized by authoritarianism, populism, and extreme hostility towards immigration, has been gaining momentum over the past decade. Recent events, such as the Austrian Freedom Party winning a large share of votes and the success of parties like France’s National Rally and Alternative for Germany, have underscored this trend. The roots of this surge can be traced back to the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the influx of migrants into Europe in 2015.
These far-right parties advocate for protectionist policies, economic populism, and express concerns about the dilution of European culture and values by migrants. They often propose strict immigration controls and measures aimed at preserving what they see as traditional European identity. Mainstream parties have been pushed towards adopting similar policies in response to the electoral threat posed by the far right.
In Europe’s multiparty system, the far right has been increasingly challenging centrist parties for dominance, with some countries seeing far-right parties becoming the main force on the right. While coalitions and tactical voting have been employed to keep the far right out of power in some countries, this approach comes with risks and challenges.
As these far-right parties continue to gain ground, scholars and experts warn of the implications for democracy and social cohesion. The normalization of far-right ideologies and the shift of political discourse to the right could have long-term consequences for European politics and society. The need to respond to the rise of the far right while upholding democratic principles remains a pressing challenge for mainstream parties in Europe.
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