Make Europe Great Again? Far-right on rise

Far-right parties are surging across Europe, winning record seats and reshaping politics. Economic hardship, immigration fears, and social shifts fuel their rise.

As Western nations enter another election cycle in 2025, the most striking development compared to previous elections is the growing strength of far-right politicians.

The European Parliament elections saw far-right parties secure their highest-ever vote share, winning nearly a quarter of the seats and achieving significant successes in major countries such as France, Germany, and Italy. This trend extended beyond the European Parliament, influencing local and presidential elections in Germany, Austria, and Romania.

A look at Europe’s political map highlights Italy, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Germany, France, and the Netherlands as key centres of this shift. Far-right parties in these countries have rapidly gained public support, driven by more than just anti-immigrant policies or opposition to social norms. Their appeal is rooted in deeper economic, social, and cultural dynamics.

One of the key drivers behind the far-right’s rise is Europe’s ongoing economic crisis and widening inequalities. Many voters feel that their concerns over job insecurity, rising living costs, and economic instability have been ignored by centrist and left-wing politicians. 

Far-right parties have capitalised on this by linking economic hardship to immigration, presenting national identity as a solution to financial struggles. Anti-immigrant sentiment remains a core pillar of populist movements, with far-right leaders amplifying the claim that migrants negatively impact national economies.

Another factor fuelling the far-right’s rise is shifting attitudes towards gender issues. Right-wing parties have attracted more male than female voters by advocating for a return to traditional social structures. This appeal to "family values" has led to a resurgence of populist narratives around gender roles, with criticisms of women’s rights and gender equality aligning with far-right rhetoric.

Notably, far-right parties have gained traction among young voters, particularly first-time male voters. In Poland’s 2023 elections, nearly half of men aged 18–21 backed a far-right party, and a similar trend was observed in Portugal’s March 2024 elections, where one in four voters under 25 supported the far-right Chega Party.

In Germany, 2024 surveys indicated rising support for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland among young men. Data from the Pew Research Center revealed that 26% of German men viewed the AfD favourably, compared to just 11% of women. This marked a 10-point increase since 2022, with youth unemployment and economic uncertainty seen as major contributors. AfD’s vote share among under-24s increased by 11% compared to 2019, reflecting wider discontent.

The rise of the far-right is deepening ideological divisions in Europe. Prominent figures driving right-wing populism include Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, France’s Marine Le Pen, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, the Netherlands’ Geert Wilders, and Poland’s Jarosław Kaczyński. Their influence mirrors the populist right movement in the United States, led by Donald Trump, whose "America First" stance aligns with Europe’s nationalist rhetoric of "Our People First". Both movements reject establishment politics and thrive on public discontent.

The far-right’s growing influence poses challenges to the EU’s political stability and core democratic values. Since its foundation, the EU has been built on human rights, democratic governance, and international cooperation.

However, far-right parties increasingly view Brussels and EU institutions as adversaries, raising concerns about European unity. At the same time, criticism of the EU is not exclusive to the far-right. Some left-wing movements also argue that EU bureaucracy undermines national decision-making, calling for reforms to improve transparency and accountability.

If far-right continues to gain ground, the EU could face internal divisions that challenge its long-term cohesion.

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