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Mainstream political parties are increasingly enabling the far right to set the political agenda, as per a new research conducted in Germany.

Academics discovered that this trend has unwittingly helped far-right parties by legitimising their viewpoints and spreading them to a broader audience.

Analysis Drawing from Two Decades of Media Reporting

The findings, released in the European Journal of Political Research, relied on an automated text analysis of over 520,000 news pieces from a half-dozen national newspapers.

Berlin-based researchers noted that as the radical faction moved from marginal topics in the late 1990s to core themes like assimilation and migration, established political groups progressively adapted their messaging in reaction.

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

Implications for Democratic Systems

"Public communication by mainstream political groups plays a central role in the electoral success of the radical right," explained a expert in political behavior participating in the study.

"This factor has been underestimated," she added.

The impact was noticeable even when mainstream groups were condemning the radical faction. "They still receive focus," the researcher remarked. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this attention is key."

Mainstreaming Effect Throughout Europe

While the study was focused on Germany, this normalisation effect is probable to apply to nations across the European continent.

"This is frequently observed in German and British media," said another co-author. "The far right makes a statement and everybody begins discussing it for several days."

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

Hardening of Public Discourse

At times, political figures have also toughened their language to match that of the radical right.

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

Similar instances can be found throughout the continent, as elected officials from nations including the UK to the French Republic adopt the language of the radical right, particularly on migration.

This has formed an feedback loop that was inconceivable a decade ago.

Central Problem: Who Dictates the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist party and you are discussing cultural issues – immigration, integration – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the radical right, that's the whole idea of agenda setting," clarified a study author.

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

Gradual Influence and Voter Awareness

The scope of information gathered showed that the impact of radical groups had been progressive and had grown with the passage of time.

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," stated a co-author. "However, when you encounter this negative framing around immigration frequently, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for instance, by mainstream political organizations, then of course this storyline gains more traction."

Need for Mainstream Groups to Develop Their Distinct Narratives

The research emphasized the need for established political parties to develop their own narratives, especially on subjects such as immigration and assimilation, rather than continuously following the far right.

"It's like a dance," explained one researcher. "If the conductor is radical and you're responding to them, you lose the ability to choose which tune should be heard."