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Mainstream parties in power are increasingly allowing the far right to dictate the public discourse, as per a new study carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Academics discovered that this trend has unwittingly benefited radical groups by legitimising their viewpoints and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Analysis Based on Over 20 Years of News Coverage

The results, published in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an computerized content review of over 520,000 news pieces from six national publications.

Berlin-based scholars noted that as the far right shifted from fringe issues in the late 1990s to central themes like assimilation and migration, mainstream parties progressively adapted their communication in reaction.

This adjustment boosted the dissemination of these concepts and indicated to voters that such stances were acceptable.

Consequences for Democracy

"Public communication by established parties is crucial in the electoral success of the far right," explained a expert in political behavior involved in the research.

"This factor has been overlooked," she noted.

The effect was noticeable even when conventional parties were criticising the far right. "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 Effect Across Europe

While the study was centered around Germany, this normalisation effect is likely to affect countries throughout Europe.

"You see this a lot in European media," explained another researcher. "Radical groups says something and everyone begins discussing it for one week."

"Even if you're opposing it, you're repeating it," he stated.

Toughening of Political Rhetoric

At times, political figures have also toughened their discourse to match that of the far right.

In a recent discussion, a then German chancellor advocated large-scale deportations and urged them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Similar instances can be found across the continent, as elected officials from nations including the United Kingdom to the French Republic embrace the rhetoric of the radical right, especially on immigration.

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

Core Problem: Who Sets the Narrative?

"{If you're a centrist party and you are discussing societal topics – migration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the pace of the radical right, that's the whole idea of narrative control," clarified a researcher.

Other political parties have taken additional measures, attempting to emulate the strict platform of the radical right, despite studies indicates that this approach drives voters to vote for the far right.

Gradual Impact and Voter Awareness

The scope of information collected showed that the impact of far-right groups had been gradual and had increased over time.

"Public perception doesn't change from one day to another," commented a co-author. "But if you encounter this pessimistic narrative around immigration frequently, and it is being disseminated not only by radical groups but also, for instance, by mainstream parties, then of course this storyline travels further."

Requirement for Mainstream Parties to Develop Their Own Discourses

The study emphasized the necessity for established political parties to develop their distinct narratives, particularly on topics such as immigration and assimilation, rather than constantly following the radical right.

"It's like a dance," explained one researcher. "When the leader is radical and you're responding to them, you lose the ability to choose which music should be playing."