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Mainstream political parties are more and more enabling the radical right to dictate the political agenda, according to a recent study conducted in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Academics found that this trend has inadvertently helped radical parties by validating their viewpoints and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Study Drawing from Over 20 Years of News Coverage

The results, released in the academic journal on political studies, relied on an computerized content review of more than 520,000 news pieces from six German newspapers.

Capital-based researchers observed that as the radical faction shifted from fringe issues in the late 1990s to core themes like assimilation and migration, mainstream political groups increasingly adjusted their communication in reaction.

This adaptation boosted the dissemination of these ideas and signaled to the electorate that such stances were legitimate.

Consequences for Democracy

"Public communication by mainstream political groups is crucial in the electoral success of the radical right," stated a expert in political behavior involved in the research.

"This factor has been underestimated," she added.

The effect was evident even when conventional groups were criticising the far right. "You're still giving them attention," the expert remarked. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this focus is crucial."

Mainstreaming Effect Across the Continent

While the research was centered around Germany, this normalisation effect is likely to affect nations across the European continent.

"You see this a lot in German and British media," explained another researcher. "Radical groups says something and everyone begins discussing it for one week."

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

Toughening of Political Rhetoric

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

In a recent discussion, a then German chancellor advocated large-scale expulsions and pushed for them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Similar examples can be observed throughout the continent, as politicians from countries including the United Kingdom to France embrace the language of the far right, particularly on immigration.

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

Core Issue: Who Dictates the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist party and you are discussing cultural issues – migration, assimilation – in a way that is determined by the pace of the radical right, that's the essence of narrative control," clarified a researcher.

Some parties have gone one step further, seeking to copy the strict platform of the radical right, even as studies indicates that this approach leads the electorate to vote for the radical faction.

Gradual Influence and Public Perception

The extent of information collected showed that the influence of radical parties had been gradual and had increased over time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from one day to another," commented a co-author. "However, when you hear this pessimistic narrative around immigration every second week, and it is being disseminated not only by radical groups but also, for instance, by established political organizations, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Requirement for Mainstream Parties to Develop Their Own Narratives

The study emphasized the need for established parties to develop their own discourses, especially on subjects such as immigration and assimilation, instead of constantly trailing after the far right.

"It's like a dance," said one researcher. "If the conductor is radical and you're responding to them, you cannot decide which music should be playing."