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Mainstream political parties are more and more allowing the radical right to set the political agenda, according to a recent research conducted in Germany.

Academics found that this trend has unwittingly helped far-right parties by legitimising their viewpoints and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Study Based on Two Decades of Media Reporting

The results, published in the academic journal on political studies, relied on an automated text analysis of more than 520,000 news pieces from six German publications.

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

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

Consequences for Democratic Systems

"Political discourse by mainstream political groups plays a central role in the voting performance of the radical right," stated a political sociologist involved in the research.

"This factor has been overlooked," she noted.

The impact was noticeable even when conventional parties were criticising the radical faction. "They still receive focus," the expert remarked. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this attention is crucial."

Normalisation Phenomenon Throughout Europe

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

"You see this a lot in European media," explained another co-author. "The far right makes a statement and everyone begins discussing it for several days."

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

Toughening of Political Discourse

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

In a recently published interview, a former German chancellor advocated widespread expulsions and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Comparable examples can be found throughout the continent, as elected officials from countries ranging from the United Kingdom to the French Republic embrace the rhetoric of the radical right, especially on migration.

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 moderate political group and you are talking about cultural issues – immigration, integration – in a way that is determined by the rhythm of the far right, that's the essence of narrative control," explained a researcher.

Some parties have taken additional measures, attempting to emulate the hardline platform of the far right, despite studies suggests that this approach leads the electorate to cast their ballot for the far right.

Progressive Influence and Public Perception

The extent of information collected showed that the influence of radical groups had been gradual and had increased over time.

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," stated a co-author. "However, when you encounter this pessimistic narrative around immigration frequently, and it is being disseminated not only by radical groups but also, for example, by mainstream political organizations, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Need for Established Groups to Carve Out Their Distinct Discourses

The study highlighted the need for established parties to develop their distinct narratives, especially on topics such as immigration and integration, rather than continuously following the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," said one author. "If the conductor is radical and you're reacting to it, you lose the ability to choose which tune should be playing."