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Mainstream parties in power are increasingly enabling the far right to set the public discourse, as per a new study conducted in Germany.

Researchers discovered that this trend has inadvertently helped radical parties by legitimising their viewpoints and spreading them to a broader audience.

Analysis Based on Over 20 Years of Media Reporting

The results, released in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an computerized content review of more than 520,000 news pieces from a half-dozen national newspapers.

Capital-based scholars noted that as the far right moved from fringe issues in the 1990s era to core subjects like assimilation and immigration, mainstream parties increasingly adjusted their communication in reaction.

This adaptation amplified the spread of these ideas and signaled to the electorate that such positions were acceptable.

Implications for Democratic Systems

"Public discourse by mainstream parties is crucial in the electoral success of the far right," explained a political sociologist participating in the research.

"This element has been overlooked," she added.

The effect was evident even when mainstream parties were condemning the far right. "You're still giving them attention," the researcher commented. "The main point is that because we live in such a battle for attention, this focus is key."

Normalisation Effect Across Europe

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 German and British news outlets," said another researcher. "The far right says something and everyone starts talking about it for several days."

"Although you're countering it, you're echoing it," he added.

Hardening of Public Discourse

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

In a recent discussion, a former German chancellor advocated widespread deportations and urged them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Similar instances can be found throughout Europe, as politicians from nations including the UK to the French Republic adopt the language of the far right, especially on immigration.

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

Central Issue: Who Dictates the Narrative?

"{If you're a centrist political group and you are discussing cultural issues – immigration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the radical right, that's the essence of agenda setting," explained a researcher.

Other parties have gone one step further, attempting to emulate the hardline platform of the far right, even as research indicates that doing so leads the electorate to vote for the radical faction.

Progressive Impact and Voter Awareness

The extent of data gathered revealed that the influence of far-right groups had been gradual and had grown with the passage of time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from day to day," stated a researcher. "However, when you hear this pessimistic narrative around migration every second week, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for instance, by mainstream parties, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Requirement for Mainstream Groups to Develop Their Distinct Narratives

The study emphasized the necessity for established parties to carve out their own narratives, especially on subjects such as migration and integration, rather than continuously trailing after the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," explained one author. "If the conductor is far-right and you're reacting to it, you lose the ability to choose which music should be playing."