German Far-Right Setting the Public Narrative, Study Reveals

Mainstream parties in power are more and more allowing the radical right to set the political agenda, as per a recent research conducted in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Researchers discovered that this phenomenon has unwittingly helped far-right parties by legitimising their ideas and spreading them more widely.

Study Based on Over 20 Years of News Coverage

The findings, published in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an computerized content review of over 520,000 articles from six national newspapers.

Berlin-based researchers observed that as the far right moved from marginal topics in the 1990s era to core subjects like integration and migration, established parties increasingly adapted their messaging in response.

This adjustment boosted the dissemination of these concepts and signaled to the electorate that such stances were legitimate.

Consequences for Democratic Systems

"Public communication by established political groups is crucial in the voting performance of the far right," explained a political sociologist participating in the research.

"This factor has been overlooked," she added.

The effect was evident even when mainstream groups were condemning the radical faction. "They still receive focus," the expert commented. "The main point is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this attention is key."

Normalisation Phenomenon Throughout Europe

While the study was centered around the German context, this mainstreaming phenomenon is likely to affect countries across Europe.

"You see this a lot in European news outlets," said another co-author. "Radical groups makes a statement and everybody begins discussing it for several days."

"Although you're opposing it, you're repeating it," he stated.

Toughening of Public Rhetoric

At certain points, leaders have also toughened their language to align with that of the far right.

In a recent interview, a then national leader called for large-scale expulsions and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Similar examples can be observed across Europe, as elected officials from countries ranging from the United Kingdom to France embrace the language of the far right, especially on migration.

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

Core Issue: Who Dictates the Narrative?

"{If you're a moderate party and you are talking about cultural issues – migration, integration – in a way that is determined by the rhythm of the radical right, that's the whole idea of agenda setting," explained a researcher.

Other parties have gone one step further, attempting to emulate the hardline agenda of the far right, even as studies suggests that this approach leads the electorate to cast their ballot for the radical faction.

Progressive Impact and Voter Awareness

The scope of data gathered revealed that the influence of far-right parties had been progressive and had increased over time.

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," stated a researcher. "But if you encounter this negative framing around migration frequently, and it is being spread not only by radical groups but also, for example, by established political organizations, then of course this storyline gains more traction."

Requirement for Established Groups to Develop Their Own Discourses

The study highlighted the need for established political parties to carve out their distinct discourses, especially on subjects such as immigration and assimilation, instead of constantly trailing after the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," said one author. "If the conductor is radical and you're responding to them, you cannot decide which music should be heard."