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Mainstream parties in power are increasingly allowing the radical right to dictate the public discourse, as per a recent research carried out in Germany.

Academics discovered that this trend has inadvertently helped far-right groups by legitimising their ideas and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Analysis Based on Over 20 Years of Media Reporting

The findings, released in the European Journal of Political Research, relied on an automated text analysis of over 520,000 news pieces from six German publications.

Berlin-based scholars noted that as the far right shifted from marginal topics in the late 1990s to central subjects like assimilation and immigration, established parties progressively adjusted their communication in reaction.

This adjustment boosted the dissemination of these concepts and indicated to the electorate that such positions were acceptable.

Consequences for Democratic Systems

"Political communication by established political groups plays a central role in the electoral success of the far right," stated a expert in political behavior involved in the research.

"This element has been overlooked," she noted.

The impact 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 crucial."

Mainstreaming Effect Throughout the Continent

While the study was focused on the German context, this mainstreaming phenomenon is probable to affect nations throughout the European continent.

"You see this a lot in German and British news outlets," said another researcher. "Radical groups says something and everyone starts talking about it for one week."

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

Toughening of Political Discourse

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

In a recently published interview, a former national leader called for large-scale deportations and pushed for them to happen "more often and faster."

Similar instances can be found throughout Europe, as politicians from countries including the UK to France embrace the rhetoric of the far right, especially on migration.

This has formed an feedback loop that was unthinkable a decade ago.

Central Problem: Who Dictates the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist party and you are discussing societal topics – migration, integration – in a way that is dictated by the pace of the far right, that's the whole idea of agenda setting," explained a study author.

Other parties have taken additional measures, attempting to emulate the strict agenda of the radical right, even as studies indicates that doing so drives voters to vote for the far right.

Gradual Influence and Public Perception

The scope of information gathered revealed that the influence of radical groups had been progressive and had increased over time.

"Public perception doesn't change from one day to another," stated a researcher. "However, when you hear this pessimistic narrative around immigration every second week, and it is being spread not only by radical groups but also, for example, by mainstream political organizations, then of course this storyline travels further."

Need for Established Parties to Develop Their Own Narratives

The study highlighted the necessity for mainstream political parties to develop their distinct discourses, especially on topics such as migration and assimilation, rather than continuously following the radical right.

"It's like a dance," explained one author. "If the conductor is far-right and you're responding to them, you lose the ability to choose which music should be heard."