Europe is witnessing a resurgence of far-right nationalism, exemplified by the recent electoral success of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The party’s victory, while not the largest far-right win in recent years, is significant due to Germany’s history and its rigorous efforts to confront its past atrocities under Nazism—a process known as Vergangenheitsbewältigung, or coming to terms with history.
The AfD’s rise represents a clear rejection of this reckoning, embracing nationalist rhetoric that echoes some of the discriminatory and exclusionary themes of earlier extremist movements. The party is known for its flirtation with Nazi symbolism and promotion of a racially defined national identity that seeks to marginalize certain groups, an extremism that even far-right leaders such as Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally find troubling. Le Pen, who remains focused on maintaining her party’s mainstream appeal ahead of the French presidential election next year, has distanced herself from the AfD’s more provocative stances.
Across the Atlantic, the AfD has found support among some figures linked to the American right. Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, has amplified AfD campaign messages. Additionally, US Vice-President JD Vance met with Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, during a visit to Munich last year, choosing not to meet with then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This interaction aligns with elements of former President Donald Trump’s national security strategy, which endorses “patriotic resistance” groups opposing immigration-driven demographic change in Europe.
In the United Kingdom, far-right politics have also evolved. Nigel Farage, once a prominent supporter of Trump and the architect of Brexit, now faces competition from more hardline nationalist figures such as Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain and Tommy Robinson. These groups often embrace more open white supremacist rhetoric, challenging Farage’s approach of combining nationalist populism with attempts at moderation. Farage’s commentary on the AfD has become ambivalent; while praising some cultural positions, he has criticized its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a leader Farage had previously admired for his strategic acumen.
The domestic political landscape in Britain reflects little appetite for overt ties to Putin or the far-right’s most extreme positions, which has contributed to Trump’s limited popularity there despite enthusiasm among certain Reform UK supporters. Interestingly, Farage’s recent party events have rarely addressed broader foreign policy issues or Britain’s role on the world stage. An attempt to collaborate with Jordan Bardella, a leading figure in Le Pen’s National Rally, on controlling small-boat migration across the English Channel drew swift criticism, illustrating the contentious and often contradictory nature of nationalist movements.
Despite the growing visibility of these far-right parties, many of them remain fragmented and conflicted, with competing interests and egos hindering sustained cooperation across borders. While some seek to overhaul or seize control of the European project rather than completely dismantle it, their efforts are frequently complicated by external influences, including Kremlin funding and alignment with MAGA-inspired ideologies.
Observers caution, however, that this resurgence of nationalism and populism is not an inevitable or irreversible development. Europe's history shows resilience, and the liberal principles of tolerance and conciliation have weathered past crises. Though the current political climate reveals the risks of extremism, it also presents opportunities for democratic societies to reaffirm and defend inclusive values. The challenge going forward will be whether European nations can navigate these crosscurrents without succumbing to the divisions that have fueled conflict in previous centuries.