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The rise of far-right movements in Europe has accelerated dramatically over the past decade. Once viewed as symbols of blind fanaticism—groups that ordinary citizens avoided at all costs—these movements have now shattered long-standing taboos and inserted themselves into Europe’s political mainstream. Their ascent has been gradual but strategic, built on a series of calculated moves that transformed them from fringe actors into central players in European politics.
Europe’s far right, historically associated with anti-human-rights and xenophobic agendas, pursued a deliberate normalization strategy. By cooperating with select mainstream parties and slowly dissolving the decades-old unwritten rule against partnering with extremists, they paved their way into legitimacy. They seized on Western political discontent, deployed sharp populist messaging, and steadily won public visibility. Once they succeeded in dismantling their “demonic reputation” and eliminating the social shame of supporting them, they launched the next phase: refining their rhetoric and softening their public image.
This recalibration was no accident. Collaboration with centrist conservatives taught far-right leaders that to convert public embarrassment into political endorsement, their messaging had to evolve. National sovereignty, cultural preservation, and defense of local identity replaced the old inflammatory slogans. This rebranding bought them social acceptability, and more importantly, votes.
Their next step was institutional power. By capitalizing on patriotic messaging, they penetrated segments of Europe’s political and bureaucratic structures, gradually influencing policymaking from within. This institutional foothold strengthened their legitimacy and eventually positioned them as a primary force within Europe’s political landscape.
Crucially, the far right has skillfully exploited Europe’s vulnerabilities. Since the 2015 migration wave reshaped Europe’s demographic and cultural landscape, public unease over identity, Islamophobia, and cultural change provided fertile ground for far-right narratives. Covid-19 and later the war in Ukraine only deepened economic insecurity and disillusionment with incumbent governments, allowing extremist parties to harvest support at unprecedented levels—especially after 2020.
An important, often overlooked dimension of this trend is the far right’s hostility toward the European Union. These parties seek either to dismantle EU structures or reshape them in line with nationalist agendas. This position naturally aligns them with major global powers that view the EU as a rival.
Russia, China, and the United States have all shown interest in strengthening ties with European far-right groups. Their motives are simple: weaken the EU and replace a unified bloc with individual states that are easier to influence. Among these powers, Russia plays the most active role. Since the start of the Ukraine war, Moscow has intensified its support for extremist groups whose agendas dovetail with Kremlinesque objectives.
The alignment is clear:
• reducing or halting aid to Ukraine,
• undermining Western liberal values,
• and amplifying social and cultural divides within Europe.
Russia understands perfectly the political power of culture and social identity. By positioning itself within debates over tradition, values, and national heritage—issues that resonate with many Europeans—it aims to spark cultural fragmentation that could eventually trigger a chain reaction leading to the EU’s weakening or even collapse. Reduced institutional coherence and weakened Brussels bureaucracy would serve both far-right ambitions and the interests of rival global powers.
For Europe to withstand this emerging crisis, it must adopt bold measures: redefine its cultural values, strengthen its political commitments, and clearly articulate its allies and adversaries. Without decisive action, the continent risks being swept away by a political and cultural undercurrent that has only just begun.
Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Amin Mahdavi
[1] In Brussels, the far right can no longer be ignored – POLITICO
[1] https://thegeopolitics.com/the-rising-far-right-of-europe
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