The upcoming European election is a pivotal test for established political forces, notably in France and Germany, as they navigate uncharted territory for the first time since WWII, Georgios Samaras writes.

As the June European election approaches, anxiety among the continent’s leaders is on the rise, and with good reason.

In Germany, the AfD consistently polls above 20%, and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France continues to gain momentum — both a continuation of a trend seen in a number of member states.

In what appears to be a desperate last-minute appeal, Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, has thrown his support behind the notion of enlisting pop star Taylor Swift to raise awareness about the upcoming election.

The endorsement comes amid warnings that the parliament may encounter serious governance challenges.

The truth is that the EU is facing a complicated election. The surge in support for far-right parties is often attributed to concerns about migration, with cultural wars now firmly entrenched in mainstream discourse.

Dua Lipa and Stromae to the rescue?
Voters also seem to prioritise the security promises offered by various far-right parties across Europe, with a common playbook emphasising welfare chauvinism and stringent measures against asylum seekers connecting most of these parties.

However, it is crucial to recognise that traditional forces in Europe, particularly mainstream European parties, largely on the centre-right, have flirted with some of these ideological elements for years. This ongoing normalisation of far-right discourse has resulted in a blurring of lines between right-leaning enтιтies.

The question arises: is there an effective way to address the consequences of this normalisation and mitigate the rising far-right threat before the election?

The dangers of overlooking the rhetoric ᴀssociated with far-right ideologies must be acknowledged, and strategic measures must be taken to counteract the trend in the long run.

While Brussels is said to be considering mobilising other, European superstars including Rosalía, Måneskin, Dua Lipa, and Stromae to help get the voters to the polls this year, the issue seems much bigger than something easily solved by popular appeal.

Taylor Swift probably cannot provide solutions, and as the window before the election is closing, it is imperative for the European centre-right to urgently undertake the challenging process of rediscovering its idenтιтy.

A shift in focus
Examples abound of how centre-right political parties have strategically tailored their policy agendas to align with far-right ideologies.

A notable case in point is the controversial immigration bill pᴀssed in December in France, which serves as a glaring manifestation of this phenomenon.

In the face of internal party divisions and impᴀssioned reactions, President Emmanuel Macron found himself ensnared in an ideological crisis upon proposing stringent migration measures.

The bill, notably, introduces alterations to the eligibility criteria for certain social security benefits for foreigners. Le Pen considers the bill a triumph for her ideological stance.

Upon securing re-election for a second term in 2022, Macron openly acknowledged that the support he garnered from voters was not necessarily an endorsement of his own ideas but rather a strategic move to counter the rise of the far right.

This acknowledgement highlights a notable contradiction in his political stance, underscoring an ideological vagueness that is further accentuated by his significantly unfavourable popularity.

Centre-right keeps drifting away from its roots
In the summer of 2023, Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s CDU, briefly flirted with the idea of collaborating with the far-right AfD, particularly at the local government level.

This departure from tradition raises concerns about the CDU’s weakening resolve, marking a significant development in conservative politics post World War II.

A similar trend has emerged in Spain, where the conservative People’s Party came close to forming a coalition government with the far-right Vox.