The rise of the far right in Europe: challenges and consequences

The economic crisis, immigration, and the war in Ukraine have fueled the rise of the far right in Europe, marking a significant increase in several countries across the continent. This phenomenon has become evident with the recent results of the European elections, where far-right parties such as Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany and the far-right formation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Italy have made significant advances compared to previous elections. The AfD party in Germany has surpassed Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and has called for early elections, something the government has rejected. Meanwhile, in Italy, Giorgia Meloni's far-right formation has more than doubled its number of seats in the European Parliament, consolidating its political presence in the region. Despite these advances, the sum of the moderate right, social democrats, and centrist liberals will remain the majority in the European Parliament. However, the growth of the far right has given them the ability to delay decisions and legislation on issues ranging from climate change to agricultural subsidies, posing a challenge to governance and decision-making in the European Union. Peruvian historian and political scientist residing in France, Rodrigo Murillo, identifies three key factors that have contributed to the rise of the far right in Europe. First, he highlights concerns about the purchasing power of European citizens, which has been affected by the economic crisis. Second, he points out the degradation of public services, which has generated discontent among the population. And third, he emphasizes concerns about the control of illegal migration, fueling fears related to security and social stability. The response of traditional, democratic, and liberal parties to these problems has been questioned by Murillo, who emphasizes that the lack of effective solutions has led to a migration of disgruntled voters towards the far right. This political trend offers proposals that promise greater security, migration control, and economic relief, attracting those who feel marginalized by conventional policies. Italian internationalist Francesco Tucci points to the economic crisis in Europe, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, as a determining factor in the rise of the far right. Sanctions against Russia have led to inflation and an increase in the cost of living across the region, contributing to discontent and support for far-right parties. According to Tucci, the poor management of irregular migration by EU institutions has fueled xenophobia and racism. The lack of solidarity among EU member states in the migration crisis has exacerbated tensions and strengthened the anti-immigration discourse of the far right. Enrique Banús, director of the Institute of European Studies at UDEP, emphasizes that the rise of the far right is not homogeneous in Europe, noting declines in Scandinavian countries despite growth elsewhere. Banús highlights the importance of European integration in the face of nationalist stances and underscores the need to effectively address citizen concerns to counter the advance of the far right. In this context, a complex scenario is presented for the European Union, which faces economic, migratory, and security challenges that have strengthened the far right. The inability of traditional parties to effectively address these issues has created a political vacuum being filled by populist and nationalist political forces, raising questions about the future of the European project and the need for profound reforms to address citizen demands and restore confidence in European institutions.