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Mainstream parties in power are more and more enabling the radical right to set the political agenda, as per a recent study carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Researchers found that this phenomenon has inadvertently helped far-right parties by validating their viewpoints and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Study Based on Two Decades of Media Coverage

The findings, released in the academic journal on political studies, relied on an computerized content review of more than 520,000 articles from a half-dozen German publications.

Berlin-based scholars noted that as the far right shifted from marginal topics in the late 1990s to central subjects like integration and immigration, established political groups progressively adapted their messaging in reaction.

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

Implications for Democratic Systems

"Public communication by established parties plays a central role in the electoral success of the far right," explained a political sociologist involved in the research.

"This factor has been underestimated," she added.

The effect was noticeable even when conventional parties were condemning the radical faction. "You're still giving them attention," the expert remarked. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a battle for attention, this focus is crucial."

Mainstreaming Phenomenon Throughout Europe

While the research was centered around the German context, this normalisation effect is probable to affect nations throughout the European continent.

"You see this a lot in German and British news outlets," explained another co-author. "The far right makes a statement and everybody begins discussing it for one week."

"Although you're opposing it, you're echoing it," he stated.

Hardening of Political Discourse

At times, leaders have also hardened their language to align with that of the far right.

In a recent interview, a then national leader called for large-scale expulsions and urged them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Similar examples can be observed throughout the continent, as politicians from countries including the UK to France embrace the rhetoric of the far right, especially on migration.

This has formed an feedback loop that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.

Central Issue: Who Sets the Narrative?

"{If you're a moderate political group and you are talking about societal topics – immigration, integration – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the radical right, that's the whole idea of narrative control," clarified a researcher.

Other political parties have gone one step further, attempting to emulate the strict platform of the radical right, even as studies indicates that doing so drives the electorate to cast their ballot for the far right.

Gradual Influence and Public Perception

The extent of data gathered revealed that the influence of radical parties had been progressive and had grown over time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from one day to another," commented a co-author. "But if you encounter this negative framing around migration every second week, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for example, by established parties, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Requirement for Mainstream Parties to Carve Out Their Distinct Discourses

The research highlighted the need for established parties to develop their distinct discourses, especially on subjects such as immigration and integration, instead of continuously trailing after the far right.

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