Decline of Right-Wing Parties in Northern Europe: Green Surge in European Elections
The recent European elections have revealed a significant political shift in Northern Europe, where right-wing parties have experienced notable setbacks while green and left-wing parties have gained considerable ground. This shift marks a departure from the broader European trend of rising far-right influence.
Sweden and Denmark Leading the Green Wave
In Sweden, the Sweden Democrats—a hard-right party—suffered a dramatic decline, securing only 13.20% of the vote compared to 20.5% in the 2022 parliamentary elections. Similarly, Denmark saw the right-wing Danish People's Party lose significant ground, although the Denmark Democrats managed to make a modest entry with 7.4% of the vote. Much of the green surge is attributed to the Socialist People's Party in Denmark, which emerged as the election winner with 17.4% of the vote.
Midterm Effects and Scandals Impacting Far-Right
Political experts have noted a midterm effect, where parties in government tend to suffer losses in European elections halfway through their national election cycles. This phenomenon, combined with scandals such as the use of anonymous social media accounts by the Sweden Democrats to campaign against migrants and political opponents, has further eroded support for right-wing parties. Additionally, restrictive immigration policies by centrist governments have also diminished the appeal of far-right narratives.
Environmental Issues Taking Center Stage
Unlike previous elections, climate change and environmental policies have gained significant importance in Northern Europe’s electoral debates, benefiting green parties. The Green Party and the Left Party in Sweden saw a combined 7% increase in support compared to 2019. In Finland, the Left Alliance rose to second place with a substantial increase in votes, emphasizing that environmental concerns are becoming a pivotal issue among voters in Northern Europe.
- Historically, right-wing parties have capitalized on anti-immigration and nationalist sentiments. However, the recent electoral results suggest a growing disillusionment with these narratives. In Portugal, Chega—a far-right party—saw its support drop from 18% in parliamentary elections to less than 10% in the European elections. Similarly, in Spain, Vox experienced a decline from 12.4% to 9.6% in European elections compared to the general elections.
- The rise of green and left-wing parties in Northern Europe could signal a broader shift in political priorities among European voters, particularly younger demographics who are increasingly concerned about climate change and social justice issues.
- These European election results, while not massively altering the composition of the European Parliament, highlight significant regional political trends and may influence future national policies and international relations within the EU.
