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Mainstream political parties are more and more enabling the radical right to set the political agenda, as per a new research conducted in Germany.

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

Analysis Based on Two Decades of Media Coverage

The results, released in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an computerized content review of over 520,000 news pieces from a half-dozen German publications.

Berlin-based researchers observed that as the far right shifted from fringe issues in the 1990s era to core themes like assimilation and immigration, mainstream parties progressively adapted their messaging in response.

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

Implications for Democracy

"Political communication by mainstream political groups is crucial in the electoral success of the radical right," stated a expert in political behavior participating in the study.

"This factor has been underestimated," she noted.

The impact was evident even when conventional parties were criticising the far right. "They still receive focus," the expert commented. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this attention is key."

Mainstreaming Effect Throughout the Continent

While the study was centered around Germany, this mainstreaming phenomenon is likely to affect nations throughout Europe.

"This is frequently observed in European media," said another co-author. "Radical groups makes a statement and everyone begins discussing it for several days."

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

Hardening of Political Rhetoric

At times, political figures have also toughened their language to match that of the far right.

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

Similar examples can be found throughout the continent, as politicians from nations including the UK to France embrace the language of the radical right, especially on migration.

This has formed an echo chamber that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.

Central Problem: Who Dictates the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist political group and you are discussing societal topics – immigration, integration – in a way that is determined by the rhythm of the far right, that's the essence of narrative control," explained a researcher.

Other political parties have taken additional measures, seeking to copy the strict platform of the radical right, even as research suggests that doing so leads voters to cast their ballot for the radical faction.

Progressive Impact and Public Perception

The scope of data collected showed that the impact of radical parties had been gradual and had increased with the passage of time.

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," commented a co-author. "But if you encounter this negative framing around immigration every second week, and it is being spread not only by far-right parties but also, for instance, by established political organizations, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Need for Established Groups to Carve Out Their Distinct Narratives

The study highlighted the necessity for established parties to develop their own narratives, especially on topics such as immigration and assimilation, instead of continuously trailing after the radical right.

"It's like a dance," said one researcher. "When the leader is far-right and you're responding to them, you cannot decide which tune should be playing."