Europe’s New Right Parties Gain Momentum

The author, a contributing editor for FT, is currently working on a book about the rise of the New Right in Europe

A recent conference in London discussing “national conservatism” was largely disregarded as a meaningless display of a minority political movement. It was seen as a reactionary platform for criticizing UK government policies, particularly on immigration. Many believed it should have stayed within American borders.

However, this perception is not accurate. National conservatism, which is centered around homeland, family, Christian values, and sovereignty, has been an integral part of British conservatism since its inception. Furthermore, it has now become the prevailing ideology of Europe’s New Right or hard-right parties. Interestingly, despite Brexit, British national conservatism paradoxically forms the foundation for these European parties.

In her conference speech, Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized the need to reduce overall immigration numbers. She pointed to countries like Italy, Greece, and Denmark as examples that share the same perspective.

Two parties that gained prominence in last September’s general elections – the Sweden Democrats and the Brothers of Italy, led by Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s first female premier – exhibit strong Anglo-Conservative political leanings. Mattias Karlsson, the mastermind behind the Sweden Democrats’ election manifesto, expressed admiration for the late Tory philosopher Sir Roger Scruton.

Meloni also regards British conservatism as an ideal. Her autobiography, titled “Io Sono Giorgia” (“I am Giorgia”), quotes Scruton’s belief that “the most important thing a human being can do is to settle down, make a home and pass it on to one’s children.” Scruton’s influence is expanding as Budapest now boasts a small chain of three Scruton-themed cafés.

The New Right movement is gaining momentum across Europe. Vox, Spain’s third-largest party, significantly increased its number of councillors in the recent regional elections and may enter a coalition with the center-right People’s Party if the latter wins national elections in July. An April poll conducted by Ifop revealed that Marine Le Pen is the most popular politician in France.

The Finnish National Coalition party and the New Right Finns party announced a governing coalition last Friday, despite concerns from many Coalition members.

While Alternative for Germany is currently shunned by mainstream parties as a coalition partner at the national level, it is performing well in polls, prompting the question of whether the opposition center-right Christian Democrats may need to cooperate with them to regain power.

However, a report by the German Institute for Human Rights argues that AfD meets all the criteria for authorities to consider banning it. The report claims that AfD pursues “racist and rightwing extremist goals,” normalizes racist and nationalist positions by pushing the boundaries of acceptable speech, and seeks to undermine constitutional guarantees of human dignity.

The key principles of New Right thinking include strict measures to combat illegal immigration, reduced levels of legal immigration, and skepticism towards further integration within the EU (though not to the extent of exiting like the British). They strongly believe in the family as the foundation of morality, communities, and the nation. They also aim to increase birth rates, which are currently below replacement level in Europe. Additionally, they view “wokeism,” cancel culture, and retrospective blame for imperialism as threats to democratic values.

Many of these parties strongly support Christianity, although they fear it may disappear within a few decades. Meloni emphasizes her Catholicism and her attachment to the late doctrinally conservative Pope Benedict XVI.

The New Right parties are often characterized as neo-fascist or post-fascist. While some, such as the Sweden Democrats and the Brothers of Italy, have origins in that realm, they are rebranding themselves as national conservatives, distancing from extreme-right views, racism, and antisemitism. They strive for a broad appeal that spans the working and lower middle classes, which constitute their main support base.

Electorates from these classes, particularly men, increasingly find the New Right better representing their interests compared to the Old Left.

After Italy and Sweden, more parties from this political spectrum are likely to make electoral gains across Europe. Their challenge will be to demonstrate competent governance and prove their commitment to democracy despite the concerns and alarm raised by their adversaries.