Far-right Parties Surge in the UK, France, and Germany
Political Turmoil Continues with Elections Ahead
Rising Immigration Fuels Backlash Against Mainstream Parties
Far-right or populist parties in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have all surged to the top in public support. On September 30 (local time), Yonhap News, citing the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in the United States, reported, "While far-right or anti-immigration parties have already entered government in other European countries such as Italy, Finland, and the Netherlands, this is the first time in history that far-right and populist parties have simultaneously taken the lead in public support in the three largest economies of Europe."
First, the French far-right party National Rally (RN) has consistently maintained its lead in public opinion polls this year. According to a poll last month, Jordan Bardella, leader of the RN, ranked first with a 36% approval rating. In the upcoming presidential election, either Marine Le Pen, the prominent figure of the French far-right, or Bardella is expected to be selected as the RN candidate.
In the United Kingdom, support for the populist Reform UK party has soared over the past six months, surpassing both the ruling Labour Party and the opposition Conservative Party. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been in close competition with the centrist conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since the beginning of the year, and has recently seen a rise in support.
The WSJ explained the rise of the far-right by stating, "In many parts of Europe, two phenomena have occurred simultaneously since the COVID-19 pandemic: a surge in immigration and a sharp rise in prices, both of which have increased hardships for citizens." The report also noted, "Meanwhile, social networking services have fueled the polarization of public opinion."
Jeremy Gallon, head of Europe at consulting firm McLarty Associates, told the WSJ, "A vicious cycle combining economic recession and a rapid increase in immigration has led many voters to turn against established parties." He added, "From small towns in the United Kingdom to rural areas in France and villages in Germany, many people feel that the traditional elites look down on them or ignore their concerns."
Jordan Bardella, leader of the French far-right party RN (right), and Marine Le Pen. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In particular, both Germany and the United Kingdom are experiencing record-high levels of immigration, fueling anti-immigrant sentiment. In Germany, the proportion of residents of foreign origin rose from just over 15% in 2017 to a record 22% in 2024. In the United Kingdom, the number of legal immigrants from 2021 to 2024 reached about 4.5 million, with most coming from China, India, and Nigeria. In addition to legal immigrants, tens of thousands of people illegally cross the English Channel into the UK each year. As of the end of August, the number of illegal entrants this year alone was tallied at 29,000.
In response, far-right parties are stoking anti-immigrant sentiment. Germany's AfD advocates for the deportation of illegal immigrants, Germany's withdrawal from the European Union (EU), and a reassessment of the country's Holocaust remembrance culture. In addition, France's RN promotes anti-immigration and anti-Islam policies, claiming that Muslims are undermining the secular values of the French Republic and lowering the standard of living for working and middle-class families.
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