Far-right parties are gaining ground across Europe, forcing mainstream politicians to adapt. While some countries resist, others see these groups influencing policies, particularly on immigration.
Europe’s political landscape is shifting as far-right parties gain momentum, forcing mainstream leaders to rethink their strategies.
The AfD is polling at 20%, securing second place ahead of Sunday’s election.
The Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) lead with 27%, while the Social Democrats (SPD) trail at 17%.
Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz has toughened his stance on immigration, even leaning on AfD votes to advance a stricter migration bill.
Tensions rose further after U.S. Senator J.D. Vance met with AfD leader Alice Weidel but not with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, prompting accusations of U.S. interference in German politics.
The Freedom Party (FPÖ) won 30.6% in September’s election, aiming to form the country’s first far-right-led government.
Talks collapsed, and new elections now seem likely.
The Sweden Democrats, who took 20.5%, continue to shape migration policies despite not being in government.
In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders’ PVV won 23.6% and holds 5 of 16 cabinet positions, including immigration and asylum policy.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy won 26% in the last election.
Meloni is now widely accepted internationally, a sign of how far-right parties are gaining legitimacy.
The Finns Party secured 20.1% and holds 7 of 19 ministerial positions.
The party has compared immigrants to parasites and seeks to block undocumented migrants from receiving healthcare.
📌 How Divided Is Europe’s Far-Right?
Marine Le Pen (France) and Giorgia Meloni (Italy) distance themselves from the AfD, seeing it as too extreme.
But far-right narratives on immigration and security continue to shape mainstream policies.
As far-right parties gain influence, mainstream parties shift rightward to counter their rise.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou acknowledged growing public concerns over migration, which has strengthened Le Pen’s National Rally, now leading in polls ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Some countries have kept the far-right out of power:
Belgium’s Vlaams Belang (22%) was excluded from the ruling coalition.
France’s National Rally is the largest party in parliament but remains out of government.
However, analysts warn these barriers may not last.
With Trump’s tariffs on European goods threatening exports, the continent faces a larger challenge beyond politics. Economic growth remains sluggish, and inflation concerns persist. Regardless of who holds power, the real question is: Can Europe avoid economic stagnation while navigating growing political instability?
Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Riyadh region, according to the Saudi-led coalition fight...
Police were deployed across Paris on Saturday, as a curfew was set to take effect in the Republique and Chât...
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said....
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology.
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
Police were deployed across Paris on Saturday, as a curfew was set to take effect in the Republique and Châtelet-Les Halles areas from 11pm Saturday until 6am Sunday (1 November).
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said.
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education and living costs. Violence erupted in Frankfurt, where shops were looted and police reported Molotov cocktail attacks.
Iran designated Britain's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations on Sunday, (1 November), and classified the country's foreign intelligence agency, MI6, as a hostile group, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Thousands protested in Albania's capital, Tirana, on Saturday (31 October), demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over perceived corruption allegations and dissatisfaction with the government over a lack of jobs and poor education standards.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment