Europe's Far-Right Parties Make Gains in 2024 Parliamentary Elections: A Shift Towards Nationalism and Euroskepticism

Paris, France, Ile-de-France, France France
European Union held parliamentary elections on June 10-13, 2024.
Far-right parties gained ground in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.
In Poland, the former ruling far-right party came second to the center-right current ruling party.
Marine Le Pen's National Rally party won about a third of the votes in French European Parliament elections.
The German far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) fared worse than expected with 16% of the votes.
Europe's Far-Right Parties Make Gains in 2024 Parliamentary Elections: A Shift Towards Nationalism and Euroskepticism

Europe Experiences Rightward Shift in Parliamentary Elections

The European Union (EU) held parliamentary elections on June 10-13, 2024. The results showed a significant rightward shift across several EU countries, with far-right parties gaining ground in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.

One of the most notable gains was made by Marine Le Pen's National Rally party in France. They won about a third of the votes in French European Parliament elections. In Poland, the former ruling far-right party came second to the center-right current ruling party. The German three-party coalition did badly in European Parliament elections, but the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) fared worse than expected with 16% of the votes.

The real victors in German elections were the center-right Christian Democrats who argue for more help to Ukraine against Russia. Far-right leaders in Europe are hiding their radicalism from voters, unlike Donald Trump who embraces extremism openly.

President Joe Biden should be concerned as the European elections successfully road-tested a message that mixes public anger over migration, high prices, and the cost of fighting climate change. Incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate in an age of inflation.

The war in Ukraine made it much more difficult to imagine breaking from the union and having to face a threat like Russia alone. One other place the right may be able to leverage its electoral gains is on climate policy.

Europeans did vote in more right-wing politicians, but the effect that will have on the bloc's policies might be less significant than its impact on the internal politics of EU member states.

Far-right candidates gained significant ground in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. The war in Ukraine made it much more difficult to imagine breaking from the union and having to face a threat like Russia alone. One other place the right may be able to leverage its electoral gains is on climate policy.

The European Parliament elections were held for the 27 member countries with nearly 400 million eligible voters. Ursula von der Leyen spoke about the election results and emphasized that there is still a majority in favor of a strong Europe in the center of the political spectrum.

Italy's Giorgia Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, won more votes than any other single party leader. She has been described as an anti-immigrant nationalist and a Euroskeptic. In France, Marine Le Pen's National Rally party also had a strong showing.

The European elections are among the world's biggest democratic polls, which are held every five years. This year's results ended in a strong showing for the far right across much of Europe. The impact on EU policies remains to be seen.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are the reported vote percentages accurate and not subject to any potential fraud or discrepancies?
  • Could the rise of far-right parties be attributed to any specific events or policies enacted in the past year?
  • How might these election results impact relations between EU member countries and Russia, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine?

Sources

76%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Why the far-right surge in European elections could be an omen for Trump

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Stephen Collinson Tuesday, 11 June 2024 04:00
  • Unique Points
    • Far-right candidates gained significant ground in EU elections.
    • President Joe Biden should be concerned as the European elections successfully road-tested a message that mixes public anger over migration, high prices, and the cost of fighting climate change.
    • Incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate in an age of inflation.
  • Accuracy
    • Far-right candidates, many of whom share Trump’s populist nationalism, hostility to immigrants, searing economic message, and disdain for governing elites and globalist institutions won sweeping gains in EU elections.
    • , French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved Parliament and called new elections after Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party gained significant ground in the European elections.
    • , Incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate in an age of inflation. Biden might be the exception due to Trump’s unique status as both an insurgent outsider and unpopular sitting president.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes several statements that imply facts without providing sources, which is a form of selective reporting. The author also uses emotional manipulation by appealing to the reader's fear and concern about the far-right surge in European elections and its potential impact on US politics. Additionally, the author makes editorializing statements such as 'Another lesson of the European elections is that in an age of inflation, incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate.' These statements are not facts and do not provide any evidence to support them.
    • The latest campaign in Europe successfully road-tested a message that mixes a potent political cocktail – public anger over what is perceived to be out-of-control migration, the pain of voters facing high prices and the cost to individuals of fighting climate change.
    • Another lesson of the European elections is that in an age of inflation, incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It also uses inflammatory rhetoric and makes generalizations about the political climate in Europe. The author draws connections between the European elections and potential outcomes in the US without providing concrete evidence for these claims.
    • . . . many of whom share Trump’s populist nationalism, hostility to immigrants, searing economic message, and disdain for governing elites and globalist institutions.
    • President Joe Biden should be concerned. The latest campaign in Europe successfully road-tested a message that mixes a potent political cocktail . . .
    • Ironically, the most secure European leader at the G7 will be Giorgia Meloni, the right-wing prime minister of Italy.
    • Macron told voters his gamble was based on trust “in the capacity of the French people to make the most just choice for themselves and for future generations.”
    • That’s why the White House will be watching French election results on July 7 even more closely than Sunday’s EU contests.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author expresses concern for President Biden regarding the far-right surge in European elections and makes comparisons between the EU elections and the US presidential election. He also discusses how incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate in an age of inflation. These statements could be seen as implying a negative outcome for Biden, which could be considered monetary bias.
    • Another lesson of the European elections is that in an age of inflation, incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate.
      • President Joe Biden should be concerned.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      94%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      What the European Election Really Tells the U.S.

      The Atlantic Magazine Anne Applebaum Tuesday, 11 June 2024 17:25
      • Unique Points
        • Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party won about a third of the votes in French European Parliament elections.
        • In Poland, the former ruling far-right party came second to the center-right current ruling party.
        • The German three-party coalition did badly in European Parliament elections, but the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) fared worse than expected with 16% of the votes.
        • The real victors in German elections were the center-right Christian Democrats who argue for more help to Ukraine against Russia.
        • Far-right leaders in Europe are hiding their radicalism from voters, unlike Donald Trump who embraces extremism openly.
      • Accuracy
        • Marine Le Pen's National Rally party won about a third of the votes in French European Parliament elections.
        • Far-right candidates, many of whom share Trump’s populist nationalism, hostility to immigrants, searing economic message, and disdain for governing elites and globalist institutions won sweeping gains in EU elections.
        • Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party won 30% of the votes in France.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It also dichotomously depicts Trump as worse than other far-right leaders in terms of their approach and goals.
        • Trump Is Not America’s Le Pen He’s worse. Lewis Joly / AP June 11, 2024, 1:25 PM ET
        • American media clichés about Europe are wrong. In fact, the European far right is rising in some places, but falling in others.
        • People around him speak openly about wanting to destroy American democracy too. None of this seems to hurt him with voters, who appear to welcome this destructive, radical extremism, or at least not to mind it.
      • Bias (95%)
        The author makes several comparisons between European far-right leaders and Donald Trump, implying that Trump is more extreme than these leaders. However, she does not provide any evidence to support this claim and instead relies on readers to assume that Trump's behavior is more dangerous than that of European far-right leaders based on her descriptions of their actions. This can be seen as a form of ideological bias as the author seems to hold a negative view towards Trump and his supporters.
        • None of this seems to hurt him with voters, who appear to welcome this destructive, radical extremism, or at least not to mind it.
          • The former president is not like these politicians. The former president is not tacking to the center, and he is not trying to appear less confrontational.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          94%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          “Clear Shift” Toward the Far Right: Anti-Immigrant Nationalists Gain Ground Across Europe

          Democracy Now! Democracy Now! Wednesday, 12 June 2024 05:33
          • Unique Points
            • European Union parliamentary elections were held for the 27 member countries with nearly 400 million eligible voters.
            • Ursula von der Leyen spoke about the election results and emphasized that there is still a majority in favor of a strong Europe in the center of the political spectrum.
          • Accuracy
            • Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party won 30% of the votes in France, leading to President Emmanuel Macron dissolving the French Parliament and calling for snap legislative elections.
            • Incumbents are vulnerable to a disgruntled electorate in an age of inflation.
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (95%)
            The author, Democracy Now!, uses language that depicts the far-right parties as gaining 'strong showings' and 'gains in support', implying a positive or normal outcome for these parties. They also quote Ursula von der Leyen stating that 'the extremes on the left and on the right have gained support'. This language is biased as it does not acknowledge the negative implications of far-right political ideologies, such as anti-immigrant sentiment, nationalism, and intolerance.
            • Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party won 30% of the votes in France, more than double President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party.
              • This election on European soil had two basic messages. Firstly, there is still a majority in favor of a strong Europe in the center of the political spectrum. In other words, the center has held. But it is also true that the extremes on the left and on the right have gained support.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              74%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Why Europe is lurching to the right

              Vox Media LTD Ellen Ioanes Monday, 10 June 2024 19:20
              • Unique Points
                • Europeans did vote in more right-wing politicians in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy
                • The war in Ukraine made it much more difficult to imagine breaking from the union and having to face a threat like Russia alone
                • One other place the right may be able to leverage its electoral gains is on climate policy
              • Accuracy
                • This year's European Parliament elections saw a rightward turn, but the effect that will have on the bloc's policies might be less significant than its impact on the internal politics of the European Union's individual member states.
                • French President Emmanuel Macron called a snap parliamentary election in his country because his party did poorly, and the notorious far-right German party AfD won more seats than German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats did.
                • Europeans did vote in more right-wing politicians in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, among others.
                • The centrist Renew Europe (Renew) group – the party of French President Emmanuel Macron – lost a stunning 23 seats while the more left-wing Greens/European Free Alliance lost 19.
                • One other place the right may be able to leverage its electoral gains is on climate policy. As exemplified by the farmer protests of the past year, vocal swaths of European farmers believe the EU’s enactment of important policies to combat climate change has come without sufficient support for individual farmers transitioning to more expensive agricultural methods.
              • Deception (30%)
                The article contains editorializing and pontification by the author. The author expresses her opinion that 'Europeans did vote in more right-wing politicians' and 'the rise of the right in Europe is of a piece with increasing authoritarian and non-democratic trends throughout the world.' She also implies that voters are rebuking centrist policies, but does not provide any evidence to support this claim. The article also contains selective reporting by focusing on the increase in seats for far-right parties while ignoring gains made by left-wing parties.
                • Europeans did vote in more right-wing politicians
                • But voters wanting to rebuke centrist and left-leaning policies they felt weren’t working for them.
                • the rise of the right in Europe is of a piece with increasing authoritarian and non-democratic trends throughout the world.
              • Fallacies (85%)
                The author makes several appeals to authority throughout the article. For example, she quotes Patrick Chamorel and Mark Leonard multiple times to support her arguments about the rise of the European right and its motivations. While these experts provide valuable insights, their opinions do not necessarily prove that there are no fallacies in the author's reasoning or analysis.
                • ]The rising tide of the European right is of a piece with increasing authoritarian and non-democratic trends throughout the world, certainly.[/
                • For decades after World War II, though right-wing parties existed they were quite fringe and were deeply associated with fascism and Nazism. Over the past decade especially, though, as that time becomes more remote and Europe has faced multiple overlapping crises including the failure of its immigration system and the Covid-19 pandemic, that has created space for these parties to take hold –and, over time, normalize themselves within their societies.[
              • Bias (80%)
                The author uses language that depicts the far-right parties as having 'won larger number of seats than they had in the previous election five years ago' and 'gained influence', implying a positive outcome for these parties. The author also mentions that these elections were 'rejections of the incumbent, especially when people are struggling with daily cost-of-living expenses', which could be seen as an implicit criticism of centrist and left-leaning policies. However, the author also acknowledges that voters wanted to rebuke these policies and that far-right parties moved to be more acceptable to a broader set of constituencies.
                • But it’s also important to remember that elections are often rejections of the incumbent, especially when people are struggling with daily cost-of-living expenses; inflation remains elevated, especially in countries like Austria, and sanctions on Russian fuel have driven up energy costs. That means these elections weren’t just about embracing the right, but voters wanting to rebuke centrist and left-leaning policies they felt weren’t working for them.
                  • For decades after World War II, though right-wing parties existed they were quite fringe and were deeply associated with fascism and Nazism. Over the past decade especially, though, as that time becomes more remote and Europe has faced multiple overlapping crises including the failure of its immigration system and the Covid-19 pandemic, that has created space for these parties to take hold –and, over time, normalize themselves within their societies.
                    • The notorious far-right German party AfD won more seats than German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats did.
                      • The rise of the right in Europe is of a piece with increasing authoritarian and non-democratic trends throughout the world, certainly.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication