Rising Far-Right Influence: European Elections Could Redefine EU Policies

Rising Influence of Far-Right Parties in Upcoming European Elections

As the upcoming European elections approach, the escalating conflict between President Emmanuel Macron's affiliated parties and the National Rally (RN) has reached a fever pitch. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, during an interview with franceinfo, vehemently criticized the RN, emphasizing the unprecedented threat posed by an extreme-right faction capable of obstructing European institutions. Attal articulated the necessity of unity with other countries, particularly in the lead-up to the critically important elections slated for June 9.

Attal stressed the ramifications of the elections, describing them as 'the most crucial in the history of European elections.' A recent Elabe poll highlights a substantial lead for Jordan Bardella's list from the RN, stunning many with 32-34% voting intentions compared to a mere 16% for Valérie Hayer, leader of Macron's camp. A victory of this magnitude for the extreme-right could potentially send an unprecedented 'battalion of anti-EU deputies' to the European Parliament, a scenario Attal strongly opposes.

The Prime Minister continued to lambast the RN's platform, highlighting their visual campaigns urging gendarmes to support them, which drew ire from National Gendarmerie Director General Christian Rodriguez. Attal warned of the existential threats to the European economy if the extreme-right achieves major victories, citing the RN’s firm opposition to EU projects, including the single market that brings in EUR 130 billion annually to France.

In contrast, Hayer's list champions major investments amounting to EUR 1,000 billion in green industries and artificial intelligence, mimicking the aggressive economic strategies of the United States. Furthermore, Attal pointed to the recent downgrade of France's rating by the S&P agency, asserting the importance of fiscal responsibility in the public sector to mitigate deficits.

The backdrop of increasing support for far-right parties is not confined to France alone. Countries like Germany exhibit a similar rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, with the far-right appealing significantly to younger demographics, particularly males. Isabelle Schopen, an authority from the Migration Policy Group, confirms the politicization of immigration issues as a tactic utilized by far-right entities to incite xenophobia and intolerance, which can lead to violence against immigrants and minorities.

The evolving political landscape threatens to compromise the European Union's commitment to social, environmental, and human rights. The potential empowerment of these parties could lead to a transformation of the European Parliament's ideological balance, impeding policies advocating for multicultural inclusion.

This trend is exacerbated by far-right narratives that accuse immigrants, particularly Muslims, of jeopardizing ‘Christian nationalism’ in Europe. Leaders like Geert Wilders of the Dutch Freedom Party and figures from Germany’s Alternative Party have openly called for stringent measures against Muslim immigrants, invoking fears of Islamization.

Experts like Professor Kay Hafez argue that this rising far-right influence could impose substantial threats to religious freedoms and increase verbal and physical assaults against Muslims. The growing popularity of these parties forces mainstream political groups to adopt more hardline stances on immigration, thereby altering the broader political discourse.

Ultimately, the implications of these shifts extend beyond internal European politics. The anticipated success of far-right parties could influence the EU's external policies, particularly regarding neighboring regions such as Tunisia and Egypt, emboldening a departure from conventional European values concerning human rights in exchange for stricter immigration controls.