Politicians far to the right of Europe's political spectrum are gaining influence across the continent.
They walk the corridors of government in countries including Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands and Finland. In Austria, the far right is en route to leading a coalition for the first time in history after the collapse of a centrist deal to exclude them from office. In France and Germany, far-right parties are using their clout as opposition forces to influence lawmaking on key issues like migration and asylum policy.
Lawmakers in the European Parliament club together in political groups, with parties from different European Union member countries working together. Groups further to the right than center-right conservatives are often called the "far right." However, while these parties are collectively shifting Europe's political center of gravity to the right, there are differences between them.
As nationalists, most parties in these political groups want less European cooperation and say their country should come first. Many are also critical of Islam and want to radically curb migration to the continent. But they have a mishmash of views on other topics like abortion or economic policy, and foreign affairs is a key dividing line.
What's the difference between the EU's political groups?
The first group, known as European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), includes Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy and Poland's Law and Justice party. At home, they've curbed rights for migrants and same-sex couples, but internationally, they are staunch supporters of Ukraine in its war with Russia. That foreign policy stance means more centrist powers are willing to work with them. Domestically, Meloni has enjoyed strong approval ratings, something which also bolsters her international profile.
The next political group, dubbed the Patriots for Europe, tends to be more skeptical of support for Ukraine . It includes Viktor Orban's Fidesz party, seen as Russia-friendly after a controversial handshake with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Hungarian attempts to stall or derail EU sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
France's National Rally, famously headed up by Marine Le Pen, is also part of the club, as well as Austria's Freedom Party, which was founded by former Nazis and fueled skepticism about vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The last group, the Europe of Sovereign Nations, includes the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. After a series of scandals over allegations of downplaying Germany's Nazi past and a staffer being arrested on charges of spying for China, the party was given the boot by other far-right factions ahead of the 2024 EU elections.
The AfD advocates for "remigration," understood to mean the mass deportation of foreigners, and has questioned whether humans cause climate change. The party is expected to increase its number of seats in German parliament in the nation's upcoming election on February 23.
Edited by: Davis VanOpdorp