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Mainstream parties in power are increasingly allowing the radical right to dictate the political agenda, as per a recent study carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Researchers found that this phenomenon has unwittingly benefited radical parties by legitimising their viewpoints and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Analysis Based on Two Decades of News Coverage

The findings, published in the European Journal of Political Research, relied on an computerized content review of over 520,000 news pieces from a half-dozen national publications.

Berlin-based scholars noted that as the far right shifted from marginal topics in the 1990s era to central themes like assimilation and immigration, mainstream parties progressively adjusted their communication in response.

This adjustment boosted the spread of these concepts and signaled to the electorate that such positions were acceptable.

Consequences for Democracy

"Public discourse by mainstream parties is crucial in the voting performance of the far right," explained a expert in political behavior participating in the study.

"This element has been underestimated," she noted.

The impact was noticeable even when mainstream groups were criticising the radical faction. "You're still giving them attention," the expert remarked. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this focus is key."

Mainstreaming Phenomenon Throughout the Continent

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

"You see this a lot in European media," said another researcher. "The far right makes a statement and everybody starts talking about it for several days."

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

Hardening of Political Rhetoric

At certain points, leaders have also toughened their discourse to match that of the radical right.

In a recent discussion, a then German chancellor called for large-scale expulsions and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Comparable instances can be found throughout Europe, as elected officials from countries including the UK to the French Republic embrace the rhetoric of the far right, especially on immigration.

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

Core Problem: Who Sets the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist political group and you are discussing societal topics – migration, integration – in a way that is determined by the rhythm of the radical right, that's the whole idea of narrative control," explained a researcher.

Some political parties have gone one step further, seeking to copy the hardline platform of the radical right, despite studies indicates that doing so drives the electorate to vote for the radical faction.

Progressive Impact and Voter Awareness

The extent of information collected revealed that the influence of far-right groups had been progressive and had increased with the passage of time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from one day to another," stated a co-author. "But if you hear this negative framing around immigration frequently, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for example, by mainstream political organizations, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Need for Mainstream Parties to Carve Out Their Own Narratives

The research emphasized the need for mainstream parties to develop their distinct discourses, especially on topics such as migration and integration, rather than continuously following the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," said one author. "When the leader is far-right and you're responding to them, you cannot decide which music should be heard."