The national election results in the European Union show that Europe’s political compass is moving to the right. In many EU Member States, such as Italy, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and the Czech Republic, right-wing parties have been elected to power, while left-wing parties have suffered further defeats, including in the recent European Parliament elections. From immigrant-fearing candidates to neo-fascist leaders, Europe, with its diverse migrant population, is facing a critical turning point. This paper will examine what has led to the success of far-right parties in European countries and how these parties contribute to shaping migration policy.
For decades, political parties have united to prevent the far right from gaining significant political power. This strategy, known in France as the “cordon sanitaire” (or “protective barrier”), is now on the wane as populist and nationalist parties gain significant popularity. Far-right parties, which initially focused on patriotic ideas, now include anti-immigration positions, economic reforms and opposition to multiculturalism as part of their agenda.
While for many years some far-right parties have been considered too radical to be taken seriously, such as France’s National Front, the party has made significant gains in the last parliamentary elections. By using almost comical rhetoric, the political leaders of these parties are trying to reach a wider audience. One example is the attempt by a National Front candidate to defend herself against accusations of racism and anti-Semitism, when she said that she had “a Jewish eye doctor and a Muslim dentist”.
Factors determining the success of the far right
The war in Ukraine and Gaza, the economic crisis and other factors are contributing significantly to the sense of unease in Europe. In a period of such uncertainty, voters are looking for the political forces that will provide the greatest sense of security, and far-right parties are exploiting this to their advantage. The subject of immigration is a major concern for people. Since 2015, Europe has taken in millions of refugees, who Europeans believe are increasing the number of terrorism and unemployment in their countries. Many voters believe that far-right parties are the best option to protect themselves from such ‘threats’ because they promote traditional values and national interests. Opposition to immigration is one of the few policy areas where the various far-right parties find common ground and act in unison.
Far-right parties have long exploited people’s concerns about healthcare, affordable housing and the labour market, presenting migration as a common enemy. This discourse has been particularly accentuated in 2015, when migrant flows increased significantly. In response, central parties, not wanting to lose votes, also adopted this anti-migration rhetoric.
This approach has led the EU to work with countries like Libya and Tunisia to stop the flow of migrants before they reach Europe. Such cooperation has been criticised because of Libya and Tunisia’s poor human rights records and their generally divergent values from the West. It has also led to a reinforcement of border security policies, portraying newcomers as a threat, and pushed for a new migration and asylum pact, adopted by the EU Council in May. This is the most significant reform of EU migration policy in a decade, but the pact is likely to be seen as insufficiently tough to deal with the influx of migrants from a far-right perspective.
How far-right parties shape EU policy
One of the key questions regarding migration policy and the influence of far-right parties in the EU is whether the opposition to migration is genuine or whether it is shaped by these political forces. Right-wing parties often present themselves as populist forces that address problems raised by “the people”. If people see immigration as a problem, these parties argue that it must be tackled, regardless of the wider perspectives. But the question remains whether migration is such a huge problem, or whether it is just a scapegoat designed to give people something to blame, regardless of poorly implemented local policies.
Right-wing parties often address the issue of migration by forming a specific strand of discourse. Migrants are increasingly seen through a socio-cultural rather than an economic lens, using broad and vague terminology to categorise them. Some migrants are seen as acceptable, while others are seen as too culturally different. This approach is racist and tends to marginalise minorities already present in the country, reinforcing existing power imbalances and unequal political representation. This discourse shapes public attitudes towards foreigners and creates more challenges for migrants to settle in a new country. In countries where integration policies are poorly implemented and migrants are perceived as a security threat, it is not only difficult for newcomers to adapt but also to change people’s perceptions of them.
The rise of far-right parties in Europe thus reveals a public economic, political and cultural insecurity when politicians tackle issues that resonate with a significant part of society. While these extremist parties tap into public fears and concerns, it is necessary to assess the potential challenges that their policies may pose to the future of the EU. For a Europe with such cultural diversity, adopting anti-immigration positions and acting on nationalism is counterproductive and dangerous because it ignores long-term economic prospects.
Photo: Pexels I Son Tung Tran
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