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Mainstream parties in power are increasingly allowing the far right to set the public discourse, according to a new research conducted in Germany.

Academics found that this phenomenon has unwittingly benefited radical parties by validating their ideas and spreading them more widely.

Analysis Drawing from Two Decades of News Coverage

The results, released in the European Journal of Political Research, relied on an automated text analysis of over 520,000 news pieces from six national publications.

Berlin-based scholars observed that as the far right shifted from marginal topics in the 1990s era to central subjects like integration and immigration, mainstream parties increasingly adapted their communication in reaction.

This adjustment boosted the dissemination of these ideas and signaled to the electorate that such stances were legitimate.

Consequences for Democracy

"Public communication by mainstream parties is crucial in the electoral success of the far right," stated a expert in political behavior participating in the research.

"This factor has been overlooked," she added.

The impact was noticeable even when mainstream parties were condemning the far right. "They still receive focus," the expert remarked. "The main point is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this focus is key."

Normalisation Phenomenon Across the Continent

While the study was centered around Germany, this normalisation effect is likely to affect countries across the European continent.

"You see this a lot in European media," explained another researcher. "Radical groups makes a statement and everyone starts talking about it for several days."

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

Toughening of Political Rhetoric

At certain points, leaders have also hardened their language to align with that of the radical right.

In a recently published discussion, a former national leader called for large-scale deportations and pushed for them to happen "more often and faster."

Comparable instances can be found across Europe, as elected officials from countries including the United Kingdom to France embrace the language of the radical right, especially on immigration.

This has formed an feedback loop that was unthinkable a decade ago.

Core Issue: Who Dictates the Narrative?

"{If you're a centrist party and you are talking about cultural issues – immigration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the pace of the far right, that's the whole idea of narrative control," clarified a researcher.

Some political parties have taken additional measures, attempting to emulate the hardline agenda of the far right, even as studies suggests that doing so drives the electorate to cast their ballot for the far right.

Gradual Influence and Public Perception

The scope of information gathered revealed that the impact of far-right groups had been progressive and had increased with the passage of time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from day to day," commented a co-author. "But if you encounter this pessimistic narrative around immigration every second week, and it is being spread not only by far-right parties but also, for example, by established political organizations, then of course this storyline travels further."

Need for Established Groups to Develop Their Distinct Discourses

The research highlighted the necessity for mainstream political parties to carve out their distinct narratives, particularly on subjects such as immigration and integration, instead of continuously trailing after the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," explained one author. "When the leader is radical and you're reacting to it, you cannot decide which music should be playing."