If Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election, he will find a rise of European far-right parties with similar ideologies of authoritarianism, populism, and extreme hostility to immigration. This trend has been ongoing for at least a decade, but the last 12 months have seen significant victories for far-right parties in countries like France, Austria, and Germany. The roots of this surge are traced back to events like the global financial crisis of 2007-8 and the 2015 migration crisis in Europe.
These far-right parties often advocate for protectionist policies, economic populism, and opposition to immigration, suggesting that European culture and values are being replaced. While mainstream parties have historically shunned these ideologies, they have been forced to adopt tougher stances on immigration and embrace patriotic values to compete with the rising far right.
One of the key issues driving far-right support is economic anxiety, with voters turning to racist ideologies in times of economic downturn. The far right’s opposition to immigration and their emphasis on preserving European culture has led to concerns about ethnic replacement and demographic redefinition.
In Europe’s multiparty system, the far right has been increasingly challenging centrist conservative parties for dominance on the right. Mainstream parties have sometimes formed coalitions to keep far-right parties out of power, although this strategy has its risks in terms of respecting the will of voters.
Overall, the rise of the European far right reflects a growing trend of anti-immigrant sentiment, protectionism, and nationalist rhetoric that is reshaping the political landscape across the continent.
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