The political landscape in Europe today is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with the far right and populist movements gaining ground in several countries, moving beyond the margins to become active and decisive players in shaping governments and coalitions. From Italy and the Netherlands to France and Hungary, there are growing signs that citizens are gradually turning away from traditional centrist parties (Christian Democrats and Socialists) and embracing the slogans of the new right. This shift raises fundamental questions about the future of European democracy and the unity of the European Union.
To objectively analyze this rise, it is essential to understand the motivations driving voters toward these parties. The reasons are not solely ideological extremism, but rather stem largely from economic and social discontent. Recent decades have witnessed the erosion of the middle class, a rise in structural unemployment in some regions, and the negative impact of globalization on local industries. Populist parties have successfully tapped into this anger by offering a simple joke: "The problem isn't the economic system, it's the immigrants and the bureaucracy in Brussels." This easily digestible narrative resonates widely with groups who feel they are losing the battle against globalization.
Ideologically, the far right has successfully adapted its political discourse to become more palatable. It no longer displays outright chauvinism or neo-Nazism, but rather adopts the language of "defending freedoms," "Christian values," and "preserving national identity." This "soft-shell" approach to extremist rhetoric has enabled these parties to penetrate the public sphere and present issues such as immigration, security, and Islamophobia as legitimate tools in political debate.
The real danger lies in the impact of this rise on the institutions of the European Union. The Union is built on shared values: democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The rise of parties that question these values, as is happening in Hungary and Poland, threatens to paralyze the EU's decision-making process, given the veto power on sensitive decisions. If the far right succeeds in forming a strong bloc in the next European Parliament, we may see obstruction of environmental legislation, common budgets, and immigration policies, potentially leading to the complete paralysis of the European project.
Furthermore, the impact of this rise is evident in climate policy. Far-right parties often view climate change with suspicion, seeing the Green Deal policies as exploiting farmers and driving up prices. This trend could threaten the progress the EU has made in combating climate change, especially if these parties manage to exert pressure within coalition governments to overturn environmental laws under the guise of protecting the "national economy."
On another front, this rise is creating a climate of social division within countries. Extremist rhetoric provokes and fuels tensions with Muslim and Black minorities, potentially leading to street violence. The alignment of some media outlets with right-wing discourse exacerbates fear of the "other," resulting in closed societies that distrust one another.
The response of traditional parties to this rise has often been contradictory. Some have attempted to emulate the right on immigration issues (the so-called "left-right" approach), which has led left-wing voters to question their credibility. Others have tried to form broad fronts to prevent the right from coming to power, a very difficult political challenge in proportional representation systems.
In conclusion, confronting the rise of the far right lies not in underestimating its voters, but in understanding and addressing the genuine economic concerns of the people, while remaining steadfast in democratic values. Liberal democracy in Europe faces a historic test: either it will prove its capacity for inclusiveness and reform from within, or it risks being eroded by the blows of political demagoguery.
