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Mainstream political parties are more and more allowing the radical right to dictate the public discourse, according to a new study conducted in Germany.

Researchers found that this phenomenon has inadvertently benefited radical parties by legitimising their ideas and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Analysis Based on Two Decades of News Reporting

The findings, published in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an automated text analysis of more than 520,000 news pieces from six German publications.

Capital-based researchers noted that as the radical faction moved from fringe issues in the late 1990s to core subjects like integration and immigration, established political groups increasingly adapted their messaging in reaction.

This adaptation amplified the spread of these concepts and signaled to the electorate that such stances were legitimate.

Implications for Democracy

"Public discourse by mainstream political groups plays a central role in the voting performance of the radical right," explained a political sociologist involved in the research.

"This factor has been overlooked," she added.

The impact was noticeable even when conventional parties were condemning the far right. "You're still giving them attention," the expert remarked. "The main point is that because we live in such a battle for attention, this focus is crucial."

Normalisation Phenomenon Throughout Europe

While the study was centered around the German context, this mainstreaming phenomenon is likely to apply to countries across Europe.

"This is frequently observed in European news outlets," said another co-author. "The far right says something and everybody starts talking about it for one week."

"Although you're countering it, you're repeating it," he stated.

Hardening of Political Rhetoric

At certain points, leaders have also hardened their discourse to match that of the radical right.

In a recently published interview, a then national leader called for widespread deportations and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Similar examples can be observed across the continent, as politicians from countries ranging from the United Kingdom to France adopt the rhetoric of the far right, particularly on migration.

This has formed an echo chamber that was inconceivable a decade ago.

Core Problem: Who Sets the Agenda?

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

Some political parties have taken additional measures, seeking to copy the strict platform of the far right, even as research suggests that doing so drives the electorate to vote for the radical faction.

Progressive Influence and Public Perception

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

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," stated a co-author. "But if you hear this pessimistic narrative around immigration frequently, and it is being spread not only by radical groups but also, for example, by established political organizations, then of course this storyline travels further."

Requirement for Established Groups to Carve Out Their Own Discourses

The study emphasized the necessity for established parties to carve out their distinct narratives, especially on subjects such as migration and assimilation, rather than continuously trailing after the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," said one researcher. "If the conductor is radical and you're reacting to it, you lose the ability to choose which music should be heard."