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Established political parties are more and more allowing the radical right to set the public discourse, according to a new research conducted in Germany.

Researchers found that this phenomenon has unwittingly benefited far-right groups by legitimising their ideas and spreading them to a broader audience.

Analysis Drawing from Over 20 Years of Media Coverage

The findings, published in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an computerized content review of over 520,000 news pieces from a half-dozen German newspapers.

Berlin-based researchers observed that as the radical faction shifted from fringe issues in the late 1990s to core subjects like integration and migration, mainstream parties progressively adapted their communication in reaction.

This adaptation amplified the spread of these ideas and signaled to voters that such stances were acceptable.

Implications for Democratic Systems

"Political discourse by mainstream parties plays a central role in the electoral success of the far right," explained a political sociologist participating in the study.

"This factor has been overlooked," she noted.

The effect was evident even when conventional groups were criticising the radical faction. "They still receive focus," the expert remarked. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this attention is crucial."

Mainstreaming Effect Throughout Europe

While the study was centered around the German context, this normalisation effect is probable to affect nations throughout the European continent.

"This is frequently observed in German and British media," explained another researcher. "Radical groups says something and everyone begins discussing it for one week."

"Even if you're countering it, you're repeating it," he stated.

Hardening of Public Rhetoric

At certain points, leaders have also hardened their language to match that of the radical right.

In a recent discussion, a then national leader called for large-scale deportations and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Comparable examples can be found throughout Europe, as elected officials from nations including the United Kingdom to France adopt the rhetoric of the far right, particularly on immigration.

This has formed an feedback loop that would have been inconceivable a ten years prior.

Core Problem: Who Dictates the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist political group and you are discussing cultural issues – migration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the pace of the radical right, that's the whole idea of agenda setting," explained a researcher.

Other parties have taken additional measures, attempting to emulate the hardline agenda of the radical right, even as studies suggests that this approach drives voters to cast their ballot for the far right.

Progressive Influence and Voter Awareness

The extent of information collected revealed that the influence of far-right groups had been gradual and had grown with the passage of time.

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," stated a researcher. "However, when you hear this pessimistic narrative around migration frequently, and it is being spread not only by radical groups but also, for example, by established political organizations, then of course this narrative travels further."

Need for Established Parties to Carve Out Their Own Discourses

The study highlighted the need for mainstream political parties to carve out their distinct narratives, especially on subjects such as migration and integration, instead of constantly following the far right.

"It's like a dance," said one researcher. "If the conductor is far-right and you're responding to them, you cannot decide which music should be heard."