In June 2024, France held elections for the European Parliament, and the results shocked many. The far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, won more than 30% of the votes—double the number secured by President Emmanuel Macron’s party. The result was so unexpected and powerful that Macron dissolved the French National Assembly and called for fresh elections. This moment was not just about one country. It showed how much support far-right parties are gaining across Europe. In many countries, these parties are no longer seen as outsiders—they are becoming part of the mainstream.

The rise of the far-right in Europe is not new, but it has become much stronger in the past few years. Countries like Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Sweden have seen far-right parties win more seats in parliaments and even form governments. For example, in Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leads a government where her far-right party, Brothers of Italy, plays the central role. In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is now the second-most popular party in some regions. These are signs of a big political shift happening across the continent. But why is this happening? What is making people turn away from traditional political parties and choose far-right leaders instead? The answer lies in a mix of reasons—some old, some new.

Fear and Frustration

One of the biggest reasons is fear and frustration. Over the past two decades, Europe has faced several crises. The 2008 financial crash left many people jobless and angry. Governments introduced strict economic measures to control spending, but these often hurt working-class and middle-class families. People started losing faith in the big political parties who promised stability but delivered hardship. The far-right used this anger to say: “We will protect your jobs, your families, and your country.” Then came the 2015 refugee crisis. Millions of people fleeing war and poverty in Syria, Afghanistan, and Africa tried to enter Europe. This caused a major political debate. While many Europeans supported helping refugees, others worried about how this would affect their lives. Far-right parties used these fears, saying that immigrants were a threat to safety, jobs, and culture. They promised to close borders and bring back national control over immigration policies. This message connected with many voters, especially in rural areas and small towns.

Another reason is cultural change. Over the years, European societies have become more diverse, more open, and more global. Young people are growing up with different ideas about gender, religion, and identity. But not everyone feels comfortable with these changes. Some people feel like they are being left behind. They worry that their traditions and ways of life are disappearing. 

Far-right parties speak directly to these fears. They talk about protecting “traditional values,” defending religion, and putting the country’s own people first. This makes people feel heard, especially those who feel ignored by the current system. Social media has also played a major role. 

Today, far-right leaders don’t need newspapers or TV channels to spread their message. They use platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube to speak directly to people. Their posts are often emotional and simple, sometimes spreading fake news or conspiracy theories. But they get attention. They make people feel like someone is finally telling the truth. This is one reason why many young voters are also being drawn to far-right ideas, despite growing up in open and democratic societies.

Inflation and Climate Change 

The war in Ukraine has also affected Europe’s political mood. At first, it united Europe. Countries came together to support Ukraine and punish Russia with economic sanctions. But as the war continued, energy prices went up, inflation rose, and daily life became harder for many Europeans. Far-right parties used this moment to say: “Why should we suffer for someone else’s war?” They criticized the EU’s policies and said that national governments should focus more on their own citizens instead of getting involved in foreign conflicts. 

Climate change policies are another issue that the far-right has used to their advantage. The European Union is pushing for strong action against global warming, like reducing emissions and shifting to green energy. But these policies sometimes mean higher fuel prices, new taxes, and changes in farming and transport. Many people, especially farmers and small business owners, feel the impact of these changes. In the Netherlands, a new party called the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) gained huge support by opposing strict environmental rules. They won the most seats in the Dutch provincial elections in 2023. Across Europe, far-right parties are using these issues to show that they stand with ordinary people, not with distant EU officials.

A Changing Europe

The growing popularity of far-right politics is changing Europe in many ways. First, it is weakening the power of traditional centrist parties. In many countries, left- and right-wing mainstream parties are losing voters to far-right challengers. This makes forming stable governments harder. In some cases, mainstream parties try to copy far-right ideas just to stay in power. This shift pushes the entire political conversation to the right. 

Second, far-right parties are challenging the idea of a united Europe. The European Union was built on the idea of cooperation, peace, and shared values. But many far-right leaders are skeptical of the EU. They want to take back control over borders, laws, and courts. While most far-right parties have stopped calling for full exits like Brexit, they still push for less power centralized in Brussels and more power at home. This puts pressure on EU unity and makes it harder to deal with big issues like climate change, migration, and foreign policy. 

Third, far-right politics often divide societies. Their messages are based on “us versus them.” They blame problems on immigrants, minorities, or foreign countries. This can increase racism, hate crimes, and social tension. In some countries, far-right governments have tried to weaken the media, the courts, or the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people. These actions threaten the basic values of democracy, fairness, and freedom.

But there is also resistance. Many Europeans, especially young people, still believe in equality, openness, and unity. In Germany, large protests were held in early 2024 against the AfD after reports showed the party’s secret plans to deport millions of immigrants. In Spain, left-wing and center-right parties worked together to keep far-right parties out of government. Across Europe, civil society groups, artists, teachers, and journalists continue to speak out against hate and division. 

A Warning Sign

So, what does all this mean for Europe’s future? The rise of the far-right is a warning sign for the continent and the world. It shows that many people feel angry, insecure, and disconnected. But it also shows the strength of democracy—because these parties are gaining power through elections, not through violence or coups. The challenge now is for European leaders to listen, to reform, and to respond to people’s needs without giving in to fear or hate.

In the coming years, Europe will need strong leadership that can unite, not divide. It will need to balance security with openness, tradition with progress, and national identity with European cooperation. The choices made today will shape what kind of Europe the next generation will inherit. 

However, the rise of the far-right is real, and it cannot be ignored by the rest of the world. 

(The writer is a political science graduate from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India and a political and strategic affairs analyst. Views are personal. She can be contacted at anubham95@gmail.com)