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What are the key factors contributing to the rise of right-wing politics in Europe?
Executive summary
A mix of electoral gains, erosion of the post‑war “cordon sanitaire,” and social and economic grievances have pushed right‑wing and far‑right parties into stronger positions across Europe (examples include gains in the 2024–25 cycle and new coalitions in several countries) [1] [2]. Analysts point to factors such as immigration and identity politics, sluggish growth and economic insecurity, mainstream party realignments and normalization via cooperation with traditional centre‑right groups — all of which together help explain the recent advance of right‑wing forces [3] [4] [5].
1. Electoral momentum and parliamentary arithmetic: seats beget influence
Right‑wing and far‑right parties increased their seat shares in national parliaments and the European Parliament during 2024–25, meaning they now can shape legislation directly or indirectly; commentators note that far‑right forces “will have a strong role” going forward because they hold more seats and therefore “cannot be ignored” [1]. The practical effect is visible in coalitions and voting patterns: far‑right groups are now in government or propping coalitions in countries including Hungary and Italy, and they outperformed expectations in European elections, making them pivotal players [2] [6].
2. The dismantling of the cordon sanitaire: from taboo to bargaining partner
What used to be an informal cross‑party pact to keep extreme right wings out of power is fraying. Reporting from Brussels and national studies documents how centre‑right families like the EPP have begun flirting or voting with parties formerly deemed “toxic,” enabling right‑wing majorities to form in parliamentary votes and eroding the long‑standing firewall that kept the far right out of decision‑making [4] [7]. That normalization converts electoral success into governing leverage and policy influence [2].
3. Immigration, identity and the cultural cleavage
A persistent theme across analyses is the salience of migration and identity: debates about immigration, citizenship and national identity have hardened public discourse and supplied potent campaign issues for right‑wing parties [6] [3]. This shifts politics away from classical economic left‑right divides toward a rural/urban, cosmopolitan/traditional cleavage that right‑wing populists exploit by promising control, sovereignty and cultural continuity [8].
4. Economic malaise, growth shortfalls and the politics of grievance
Sluggish growth and perceptions that mainstream governments have failed to deliver economic security create fertile ground for anti‑establishment movements. Commentators argue that in major economies — Britain, France and Germany — weak growth and disillusionment with traditional parties have strengthened the populist right’s appeal, enabling narratives that blame elites and globalisation for ordinary voters’ stagnation [5]. Multiple outlets link economic strains to voters’ willingness to back radical alternatives [3].
5. Media, online platforms and transnational inspiration
Analysts note that new campaigning tools and transatlantic examples have helped normalize and amplify right‑wing messages; the role of platforms in fuelling modern online campaigning is singled out as making it easier for populists to organize, spread narratives and learn tactics from counterparts abroad [1]. External political developments, such as shifts in U.S. politics, are also cited as emboldening European right‑wing actors [2].
6. Mainstream realignment and strategic calculations by centre parties
Mainstream parties are responding in diverging ways: some adopt tougher stances on migration and security to blunt right‑wing appeal, while others pragmatically cooperate with right‑wing groups to form workable majorities. Reporting emphasizes that the EPP’s tactical shifts and local‑level cooperation in some countries have reduced the stigma around partnering with the right, accelerating their influence inside institutions [7] [4].
7. Divergent national trajectories and the limits of generalisation
Coverage stresses variation: Germany’s AfD remains politically isolated even as far‑right forces surge elsewhere, and outcomes differ by institutional context, electoral systems and national history [9] [10]. Scholarly and journalistic accounts caution against assuming a single, uniform “rise” across Europe; instead, they point to a patchwork of successes, setbacks and strategic accommodations [6].
8. Competing interpretations and open questions
Observers disagree about permanence and causes: some see a long‑term normalisation and “permacrisis” that favors ethnonationalism, while others argue mainstream institutions can adapt and restrain extremes if they coordinate effectively [11] [12]. Available sources do not mention whether specific demographic groups or microeconomic indicators are the decisive drivers in every case; that remains an area of active research and debate [12].
Conclusion — what this means for readers: the rise of right‑wing politics in Europe is not reducible to one cause; it’s a product of electoral gains, shifting party strategies, social anxieties over identity and migration, economic discontent, and changing media environments — all interacting in different ways across countries [1] [4] [3].