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Established parties in power are increasingly enabling the radical right to set the political agenda, according to a new study conducted in Germany.

Researchers discovered that this trend has inadvertently benefited radical parties by validating their ideas and spreading them to a broader audience.

Analysis Based on Over 20 Years of News Coverage

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

Berlin-based scholars observed that as the radical faction shifted from marginal topics in the 1990s era to core subjects like integration and migration, mainstream political groups progressively adjusted their messaging in response.

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

Implications for Democracy

"Political discourse by mainstream parties plays a central role in the voting performance of the far right," explained a political sociologist participating in the study.

"This factor has been underestimated," she added.

The effect was evident even when mainstream groups were condemning the radical faction. "You're still giving them attention," the expert commented. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a battle for attention, this attention is crucial."

Normalisation Phenomenon Throughout the Continent

While the study was centered around Germany, this normalisation effect is likely to affect countries throughout Europe.

"This is frequently observed in German and British media," explained another researcher. "Radical groups says something and everybody starts talking about it for several days."

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

Hardening of Public Rhetoric

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

In a recently published discussion, a then national leader advocated large-scale deportations and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Comparable examples can be observed throughout the continent, as politicians from nations including the UK to France embrace the language of the radical right, particularly on migration.

This has formed an feedback loop that would have been unthinkable a ten years prior.

Core Problem: Who Dictates the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist party and you are talking about cultural issues – immigration, integration – in a way that is determined by the rhythm of the far right, that's the essence of narrative control," explained a study author.

Other political parties have gone one step further, seeking to copy the strict agenda of the far right, even as research indicates that doing so drives voters to cast their ballot for the far right.

Gradual Influence and Voter Awareness

The scope of information gathered revealed that the impact of far-right groups had been progressive and had increased with the passage of time.

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

Need for Established Parties to Develop Their Own Narratives

The research highlighted the necessity for mainstream political parties to develop their own discourses, particularly on topics such as immigration and assimilation, rather than constantly following the radical right.

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