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Mainstream parties in power are increasingly enabling the radical right to set the political agenda, as per a new research carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Academics discovered that this phenomenon has unwittingly benefited radical groups by legitimising their viewpoints and disseminating them more widely.

Study Drawing from Over 20 Years of Media Reporting

The findings, published in the European Journal of Political Research, relied on an computerized content review of more than 520,000 articles from six German newspapers.

Berlin-based scholars observed that as the far right moved from marginal topics in the late 1990s to core themes like assimilation and migration, established parties progressively adjusted their communication in response.

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

Implications for Democracy

"Political communication by established political groups plays a central role in the electoral success of the radical right," stated a political sociologist involved in the study.

"This element has been underestimated," she noted.

The effect was evident even when conventional groups were criticising 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 key."

Normalisation Phenomenon Across the Continent

While the study was centered around the German context, this mainstreaming phenomenon is likely to affect nations throughout the European continent.

"You see this a lot in European news outlets," said another researcher. "The far right makes a statement and everybody starts talking about it for one week."

"Even if you're opposing it, you're repeating it," he stated.

Hardening of Political Discourse

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

In a recent interview, a former German chancellor advocated large-scale deportations and urged them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Similar examples can be found across the continent, as elected officials from countries including the UK to the French Republic adopt the language of the far right, particularly on immigration.

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

Central Issue: Who Sets the Agenda?

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

Other parties have gone one step further, attempting to emulate the strict platform of the far right, despite research suggests that this approach leads the electorate to cast their ballot for the far right.

Gradual Impact and Voter Awareness

The extent of data gathered showed that the influence of radical parties had been progressive and had increased with the passage of time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from one day to another," stated a researcher. "However, when you encounter this negative framing around immigration every second week, and it is being spread not only by radical groups but also, for example, by established parties, then of course this storyline gains more traction."

Requirement for Mainstream Groups to Develop Their Distinct Narratives

The research highlighted the need for established political parties to carve out their distinct discourses, particularly on topics such as migration and assimilation, instead of constantly trailing after the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," said one researcher. "If the conductor is far-right and you're reacting to it, you cannot decide which tune should be heard."