A notable political shift toward right-wing influence is taking shape across Europe, with several countries experiencing growing support for nationalist, populist, and conservative parties. This trend is evident in election results, opinion polls, and government coalitions ahead of key electoral contests in 2024.
In Portugal, the opposition party Chega, popular especially among younger voters, has called for cuts to migrant welfare benefits and proposed chemical castration for paedophiles. Meanwhile, in France, Marine Le Pen, a leading figure on the hard right, leads polls ahead of next year’s presidential election. She has pledged to hold a referendum on banning the hijab, framing it as part of a broader effort to counter what she describes as “radical Islamism.”
In Hungary, the governing coalition includes the nationalist Homeland Movement party, which has demanded more stringent security checks at the European Union’s external borders. Across Europe, conservative coalitions are emphasizing family values and demographic concerns. The center-right minority government in some states prioritizes increasing birth rates through social encouragement rather than immigration. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni is considering an alliance between her populist Brothers of Italy party and the hard-right National Future party as a strategy to counter the center-left’s growing appeal.
Austria’s Freedom Party, a right-wing populist group advocating for a “Fortress Austria” policy, won the 2024 national election and maintains a lead in opinion polls. However, it remains excluded from power due to a centrist coalition governing the country. Slovakia’s pro-Russian coalition holds a parliamentary majority and combines Euroscepticism with support for traditional families and Christian values.
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), characterized as ultra-populist and anti-immigration, is polling at approximately 30 percent nationally. It is projected to gain control in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt in the upcoming regional elections this weekend. The AfD opposes mass migration and green energy initiatives. In the Czech Republic, the ruling coalition is focused on “Czech First” policies, including the removal of Ukrainian flags from parliament buildings, reflecting a nationalist and security-oriented stance.
Finland is seeing a record high in right-wing identification, with half the population aligning with conservative perspectives. The current coalition government pursues strict policies on economic migrants. Cyprus’s National Popular Front, one of the three largest parties, is fueling far-right support by framing immigration as a threat to national security.
Romania has experienced a surge in support for the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians following the collapse of a pro-European coalition. This party reflects vaccine skepticism and right-wing nationalist views. Despite centrist governments adopting tougher military and border policies, populist parties are projected to dominate parliamentary elections set for next year.
In Estonia, a five-party coalition government heavily influenced by right-wing groups has made national security and border control central to political discourse. The conservative Isamaa party, currently leading in polls, promotes Christian traditions, low taxes, and personal responsibility while opposing increased integration into a so-called EU “superstate.”
Overall, the rise of right-wing parties and policies across multiple European countries reflects broader concerns about immigration, national identity, security, and traditional social values, shaping the continent’s political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.