The rise of far-right parties across Europe has reached a pivotal moment, with recent electoral gains signaling a shift toward mainstream acceptance of ideologies long on the political fringe. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt marked the first time a far-right party has come close to government power in Germany’s postwar history, joining a broader trend visible in countries such as Italy and France, where the Brothers of Italy and National Rally respectively have established or nearly established governing roles.

In a recent online discussion involving writers and commentators from several European countries, several factors underlying this phenomenon were examined. The 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath have been identified as key catalysts, shaking public confidence in traditional political parties and opening space for populist and nativist movements. These parties have capitalized on voter concerns about immigration, national identity, and economic insecurity while exploiting perceptions that mainstream governments have failed to deliver social and economic progress.

According to the panelists, far-right support cannot be fully explained by conventional economic factors alone. While many early backers were from deindustrialized or economically disadvantaged regions, the appeal extends beyond the working class to include middle-class and white-collar voters, unified by a broader search for identity, meaning, and cultural belonging. This shared sentiment is often described as a response to what some characterize as the crisis of liberalism since the Cold War, where mainstream political forces have faltered in addressing both material and existential needs.

The panelists emphasized the role of political dynamics in the center as well. Far-right parties have gained traction not only through their own platforms but also because centrist parties have increasingly adopted right-leaning positions, narrowing the space for moderate alternatives and prompting voters either to shift rightward or disengage from the political process altogether.

Immigration remains a central issue for these parties, but their platforms are more complex and fluid than a single-topic focus might imply. Many far-right groups advocate welfare chauvinism—seeking to protect social benefits for native populations while restricting access for immigrants—but also promote a version of meritocracy centered on the traditional nuclear family and national identity. Strategically, some leaders have adjusted their stances in response to economic pressures and political realities, exemplified by French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen’s shift toward fiscal restraint amid rising deficits.

The experience of Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Brothers of Italy leader and prime minister, illustrates one path for far-right parties transitioning from oppositional politics to governance. Meloni’s administration has adopted a more mainstream orientation, backing NATO, the European Union, and Ukraine, contrasting with earlier, more radical rhetoric. This approach has granted her political longevity but also inspired the emergence of new, more extreme groups that criticize this moderation as a betrayal of core far-right promises.

This pragmatic trend toward institutional acceptance is echoed across Europe. Many far-right parties now aim to reform the European Union from within, moving away from calls to dismantle the bloc and instead seeking to assert national sovereignty while cooperating on shared challenges such as energy security and defense. Although they diverge sharply on social issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights, the parties share a broad consensus on limiting immigration and defending what they frame as European civilizational identity.

The developments highlight a significant realignment in European politics, where far-right movements are no longer purely anti-establishment forces but increasingly shape policy and political discourse at the national and continental levels. Observers note that this evolution presents both electoral opportunities and challenges for these parties as they navigate the balance between ideological purity and the practical demands of governance.