Hard-right politics are experiencing a surge in several European regions.

Hard-right politics are experiencing a surge in several European regions.

In the political landscape of 2024, far-right and nationalist parties are making significant strides across Europe, influencing government decisions and forcing mainstream parties to accommodate their views, particularly on immigration and sovereignty issues.

Italy, for instance, is led by Giorgia Meloni of the far-right Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, a post-fascist tradition that has seen a moderation in some extreme positions, such as on migration, where they cooperate with EU leadership on deals and migration management.

Hungary, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, maintains its right-wing nationalist and Eurosceptic stance. Although not explicitly detailed, Orbán's government historically aligns with far-right populism and national conservatism, often opposing EU mainstream policies.

The Netherlands has seen inroads by right-wing populists, with the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) and Forum for Democracy (FvD) exerting influence. However, the overall government tends to be coalition-based with a centre-right or centrist leaning.

Slovakia's political scene includes populist and nationalist parties like Smer-SD, which holds a restrictive stance on migration, aligning with right-wing challengers. Coalition governments are common, with mainstream parties having to accommodate these populists to some extent.

Finland has witnessed the rise of the Finns Party, a right-wing populist party with a nationalist agenda. The party often influences coalition governments but not always leading them, reflecting a broader European trend of far-right parties gaining influence without outright dominance.

Sweden's Sweden Democrats, a far-right party, have increased their parliamentary presence and influence, contributing to coalition talks or supporting minority governments. Their platform is strongly anti-immigration, reflecting the wider European populist right trend.

Austria's political climate includes the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), historically part of coalition governments. Although not specified in the recent context, the FPÖ remains a significant player in national politics with nationalist and anti-immigration policies.

France saw a breakthrough for populist right parties like Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) in the June 2024 parliamentary elections, challenging the centrist Emmanuel Macron government. The RN has moderated some xenophobic rhetoric but remains influential on migration and nationalism.

Germany experienced gains for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the September 2024 elections in eastern states. Though mainstream parties hold power through coalitions, they have at times relied on AfD votes for specific motions, signalling cracks in the political consensus.

Belgium's political scene is fragmented with multiple coalition governments; far-right parties like the Vlaams Belang have influence, particularly in the Flemish region. They push nationalist and anti-immigration policies but have yet to dominate at the federal level.

Portugal's political landscape remains dominated by centre-left and centre-right mainstream parties with minor far-right presence. Populist right-wing parties have less influence here compared to other European countries.

In the UK, the political alignment post-Brexit includes right-wing populist elements within the Conservative Party, but no major far-right party has entered coalition government. The right wing has influenced policies on immigration and sovereignty, in line with broader European trends.

The table below provides a summary of the far-right presence and coalition impact in 2024:

| Country | Far-right Party(s) | Government Role | Coalition Impact | |-------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Italy | Brothers of Italy (FdI) | Leading government | Far-right prime minister, moderate stance | | Hungary | Fidesz | Leading government | Nationalist, Eurosceptic | | Netherlands | PVV, FvD | Minor influence | Mainstream coalitions accommodate | | Slovakia | Smer-SD | Coalition influence | Restrictive migration stances | | Finland | Finns Party | Coalition influence | Nationalist/populist influence | | Sweden | Sweden Democrats | Parliamentary influence | Anti-immigration influence | | Austria | Freedom Party (FPÖ) | Coalition history | Nationalist, anti-immigration | | France | National Rally (RN) | Parliamentary opposition / influence| Challenged centrist government | | Germany | Alternative for Germany (AfD) | Parliamentary minority | Used for specific motions | | Belgium | Vlaams Belang | Regional influence | Nationalist positions | | Portugal | Minor far-right presence | No significant role | Mainstream dominance | | Britain | Conservative right wing | Leading government | Influence on immigration/sovereignty |

This overall picture shows a growing influence of far-right and nationalist parties across Europe in 2024, often forcing mainstream parties into coalition compromises or moderating their policies.

1. The shifting political landscape of 2024 has seen an increase in the influence of far-right and nationalist parties, notably regarding immigration and sovereignty issues.
2. In Italy, the Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, led by Giorgia Meloni, has cooperated with EU leadership on migration deals and management.
3. Hungary, ruled by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, adopts a right-wing nationalist and Eurosceptic stance, often opposing EU mainstream policies.
4. The Netherlands has seen the influence of right-wing populist parties like the Party for Freedom (PVV) and Forum for Democracy, but the overall government leans more center-right or centrist.
5. Slovakia's political scene includes populist and nationalist parties, like Smer-SD, which hold restrictive views on migration and align with right-wing challengers.
6. Finland's right-wing populist Finns Party often influences coalition governments, yet not always leading them.
7. Sweden's Sweden Democrats have increased their parliamentary presence and influence, contributing to anti-immigration debates.
8. Austria's Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) remains a significant player in national politics with nationalist and anti-immigration policies.
9. France's Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) has gained influence in the June 2024 parliamentary elections, challenging centrist Emmanuel Macron's government.
10. Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gained influence in eastern states, causing cracks in the political consensus.
11. In Belgium, far-right parties like Vlaams Belang push nationalist and anti-immigration policies but have yet to dominate at the federal level.
12. Portugal's political landscape remains dominated by mainstream parties with minor far-right presence, making their influence less significant.
13. The right-wing populist elements within the Conservative Party in the UK have influenced policies on immigration and sovereignty post-Brexit.
14. The growing influence of far-right and nationalist parties across Europe in 2024 often leads mainstream parties to accommodate them in coalition compromises or moderate their policies.
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