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Mainstream political parties are more and more enabling the far right to dictate the political agenda, as per a recent research conducted in Germany.

Researchers discovered that this phenomenon has unwittingly helped far-right groups by legitimising their viewpoints and spreading them more widely.

Analysis Drawing from Over 20 Years of News Reporting

The findings, published in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an automated text analysis of more than 520,000 news pieces from six German publications.

Capital-based scholars noted that as the radical faction shifted from fringe issues in the late 1990s to central themes like assimilation and immigration, established parties progressively adjusted their communication in response.

This adjustment amplified the spread of these concepts and indicated to voters that such positions were legitimate.

Implications for Democracy

"Public communication by established political groups is crucial in the electoral success of the radical right," explained a political sociologist participating in the study.

"This element has been underestimated," she added.

The effect was evident even when conventional groups were condemning the radical faction. "You're still giving them attention," the researcher commented. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this focus is crucial."

Normalisation Phenomenon Across the Continent

While the study was focused on Germany, this mainstreaming phenomenon is likely to apply to nations throughout Europe.

"You see this a lot in German and British media," explained another co-author. "Radical groups says something and everybody begins discussing it for one week."

"Although you're countering it, you're repeating it," he stated.

Toughening of Political Discourse

At times, political figures have also hardened their discourse to align with that of the far right.

In a recently published interview, a then German chancellor advocated large-scale expulsions and pushed for them to happen "more often and faster."

Similar instances can be found throughout the continent, as politicians from countries ranging from the United Kingdom to France adopt the language of the radical right, particularly on immigration.

This has created an echo chamber that would have been inconceivable a ten years prior.

Core Problem: Who Sets the Narrative?

"{If you're a centrist party and you are talking about societal topics – migration, integration – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the far right, that's the whole idea of narrative control," clarified a researcher.

Some political parties have gone one step further, seeking to copy the strict agenda of the radical right, even as research suggests that this approach drives the electorate to cast their ballot for the radical faction.

Gradual Impact and Public Perception

The scope of data gathered showed that the impact of radical groups had been gradual and had grown over time.

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," stated a co-author. "However, when you hear this pessimistic narrative around immigration every second week, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for instance, by mainstream parties, then of course this narrative travels further."

Requirement for Established Groups to Carve Out Their Distinct Narratives

The study highlighted the necessity for mainstream political parties to develop their own discourses, especially on subjects such as immigration and integration, instead of continuously following the radical right.

"It's like a dance," said one author. "When the leader is radical and you're responding to them, you cannot decide which tune should be playing."