🔗 Share this article

Established political parties are more and more enabling the far right to set the political agenda, as per a recent study conducted in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Researchers discovered that this trend has unwittingly benefited far-right parties by validating their ideas and spreading them more widely.

Study Drawing from Over 20 Years of Media Reporting

The results, published in the academic journal on political studies, relied on an automated text analysis of over 520,000 news pieces from six national newspapers.

Capital-based scholars observed that as the far right shifted from fringe issues in the late 1990s to core themes like assimilation and migration, established political groups increasingly adapted their messaging in response.

This adaptation amplified the dissemination of these concepts and indicated to the electorate that such stances were acceptable.

Consequences for Democratic Systems

"Public communication by established parties is crucial in the voting performance of the far right," stated a expert in political behavior involved in the research.

"This element has been underestimated," she added.

The effect was noticeable even when mainstream groups were criticising the radical faction. "They still receive focus," the researcher commented. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this attention is crucial."

Normalisation Phenomenon Throughout the Continent

While the research was focused on Germany, this normalisation effect is probable to apply to countries throughout the European continent.

"This is frequently observed in European media," explained another researcher. "Radical groups makes a statement and everybody begins discussing it for one week."

"Although you're opposing it, you're echoing it," he stated.

Toughening of Political Discourse

At certain points, political figures have also hardened their language to align with that of the radical right.

In a recent discussion, a then German chancellor called for widespread deportations and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Similar instances can be observed throughout Europe, as elected officials from nations ranging from the United Kingdom to the French Republic adopt the rhetoric of the far right, particularly on migration.

This has formed an echo chamber that would have been unthinkable a ten years prior.

Central Problem: Who Sets the Narrative?

"{If you're a centrist political group and you are talking about cultural issues – migration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the pace of the far right, that's the essence of narrative control," explained a researcher.

Some political parties have taken additional measures, seeking to copy the strict platform of the radical right, despite research suggests that this approach drives the electorate to cast their ballot for the radical faction.

Gradual Influence and Voter Awareness

The extent of data gathered showed that the influence of radical groups had been gradual and had grown with the passage of time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from day to day," commented a co-author. "However, when you encounter this pessimistic narrative around migration frequently, and it is being spread not only by radical groups but also, for instance, by established political organizations, then of course this storyline travels further."

Need for Established Parties to Carve Out Their Own Narratives

The study highlighted the need for mainstream parties to develop their distinct discourses, especially on subjects such as immigration and assimilation, instead of constantly following the radical right.

"It resembles a choreography," explained one author. "If the conductor is far-right and you're reacting to it, you lose the ability to choose which tune should be heard."