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Established parties in power are increasingly enabling the radical right to dictate the political agenda, according to a new research carried out in Germany.

Academics discovered that this phenomenon has unwittingly benefited far-right groups by legitimising their viewpoints and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Study Based on Over 20 Years of News Reporting

The findings, released in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an computerized content review of more than 520,000 articles from six national newspapers.

Berlin-based researchers noted that as the radical faction moved from fringe issues in the 1990s era to core subjects like integration and migration, mainstream political groups increasingly adapted their communication in response.

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

Implications for Democracy

"Public discourse by established parties is crucial in the electoral success of the radical right," stated a political sociologist participating in the study.

"This factor has been overlooked," she added.

The effect was noticeable even when mainstream groups were condemning the far right. "You're still giving them attention," the researcher commented. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this focus is key."

Normalisation Phenomenon Across Europe

While the study was focused on the German context, this normalisation effect is likely to apply to countries across the European continent.

"This is frequently observed in European media," explained another researcher. "The far right makes a statement and everyone starts talking about it for one week."

"Although you're countering it, you're echoing it," he added.

Hardening of Political Rhetoric

At certain points, leaders have also toughened their discourse to match that of the far right.

In a recent discussion, a then German chancellor advocated widespread deportations and pushed for them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Comparable instances can be found throughout the continent, as politicians from nations including the UK to France adopt the language of the far right, particularly on migration.

This has formed an feedback loop that was inconceivable a ten years prior.

Core Problem: Who Dictates the Narrative?

"{If you're a moderate party and you are discussing cultural issues – migration, integration – in a way that is dictated by the pace of the radical right, that's the whole idea of agenda setting," explained a study author.

Other parties have taken additional measures, seeking to copy the strict agenda of the far right, despite research suggests that doing so drives the electorate to cast their ballot for the radical faction.

Gradual Impact and Public Perception

The extent of data collected revealed that the impact of far-right groups had been gradual and had increased over time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from one day to another," commented a co-author. "But if you hear this negative framing around immigration frequently, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for instance, by established political organizations, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Need for Mainstream Parties to Develop Their Distinct Discourses

The research highlighted the need for mainstream parties to carve out their own narratives, especially on topics such as immigration and integration, instead of continuously following the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," said one author. "If the conductor is far-right and you're reacting to it, you lose the ability to choose which tune should be heard."