Core ideology

In the face of continued economic uncertainty, many European voters have increasingly rallied behind far-right nationalist ideas.

Much of the ideological foundation rests on proud re-assertion of Western and Christian values that prioritise tradition and peoplehood.

Although crude racism has somewhat made way for more subtle emphasis on cultural integration, intolerance towards minority groups often dominates the increasingly sophisticated message. Geert Wilders in the Netherlands and Marine Le Pen in France are among Western Europe's most widely recognised faces from this political tendency. In Greece, Golden Dawn has demonstrated a violent streak in the throngs of an austerity crisis.

In Italy, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom Party is running in alliance with the far-right Lega Nord in the February 24 elections, and hopes to beat outgoing technocratic PM Mario Monti's centrist bloc.

Well-established Lega Nord embraces regional anti-elitism and takes a hard stance on law-and-order issues. In addition to advocating an independent state in the north, the party also opposes construction of mosques.

Key right-wing parties and their beliefs are depicted above. ↗

Far-right principles
  • Anti-immigration,
  • Euroscepticism,
  • nationalism
    LN
    Regionalism, federalism, populism
    PVV
    Conservative liberalism, anti-Islam, right-wing populism
    FN
    Protectionism, right-wing populism, social conservatism
    VB
    Flemish nationalism, separatism, anti-immigration
    FPO
    Right-wing populism, Euroscepticism, anti-immigration
    BNP
    Right-wing populism, Euroscepticism, white nationalism
    DF
    Populism, social conservatism, Euroscepticism
    PS
    Nationalism, social conservatism, Euroscepticism
    SD
    Nationalism, Euroscepticism, right-wing populism
    GD
    Extremism, nationalism, xenophobia, neo-Nazism
    FrP
    Conservatism, right-wing populism, economic liberalism
    SVP
    National conservatism, right-wing populism

    Parliamentary representation and immigration policy

    Many of the parties blame immigration and the perceived threat from Islam for their countries' social ills, and such xenophobic ideas have had a growing influence on mainstream parties. Opposition to the burka, for example, has figured into a broader discussion about capping the flow of new immigrants.

    Populist parties well to the right of the political spectrum hold about one-quarter of national parliamentary seats in Switzerland and in Norway, where Anders Behring Breivik's anti-multiculturalism crusade resulted in 77 deaths.

    Eastern Europe's far-right parties - in contrast to their western counterparts' focus on immigration - concentrate largely on Roma, Jews and other ethnic minority groups.

    Explore what far-right means in Europe today by hovering over countries in the map or browsing through the chart below.

    % in national parliament
    0 26.6

    Italy Lega Nord

    Percent in country's parliament:

    9.2 (2008)

    Members in European Parliament:

    9 (2009)

    Immigration stance

    Supports immigration from non-Muslim countries to promote the Christian identity of Italy and Europe.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    8.8

    Italy Lega Nord

    Percent in country's parliament

    9.2 (2008)

    Members in European Parliament:

    9 (2009)

    Immigration stance

    Supports immigration from non-Muslim countries to promote the Christian identity of Italy and Europe.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    8.8

    Italy Lega Nord

    Percent in country's parliament

    9.2 (2008)

    Members in European Parliament:

    9 (2009)

    Immigration stance

    Supports immigration from non-Muslim countries to promote the Christian identity of Italy and Europe.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    8.8

    Switzerland Swiss People's Party

    Percent in country's parliament

    26.6 (2011)

    Members in European Parliament:

    0

    Immigration stance

    One of the party's slogans is "That's enough. Stop mass immigration."

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    24.7

    Netherlands Party of Freedom

    Percent in country's parliament

    10 (2010)

    Members in European Parliament:

    4

    Immigration stance

    Seeks a cessation of immigration from non-Western countries and recording of ethnicity for all Dutch citizens.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    11.2

    Denmark Danish People's Party

    Percent in country's parliament

    12.3 (2011)

    Members in European Parliament:

    1

    Immigration stance

    Proposed halt to all immigration from non-Western countries.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    9.3

    Belgium Vlaams Belang

    Percent in country's parliament

    7.8 (2010)

    Members in European Parliament:

    2

    Immigration stance

    Repatriation of immigrants who "reject, deny or combat" Flemish culture.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    14.8

    France National Front

    Percent in country's parliament

    0.4 (2012)

    Members in European Parliament:

    3

    Immigration stance

    Party leaders have criticised Muslims for their value system and support the deportation of illegal, criminal, and unemployed immigrants.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    11.2

    France National Front

    Percent in country's parliament

    0.4 (2012)

    Members in European Parliament:

    3

    Immigration stance

    Party leaders have criticised Muslims for their value system and support the deportation of illegal, criminal, and unemployed immigrants.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    11.2

    UK British National Party

    Percent in country's parliament

    0 (2010)

    Members in European Parliament:

    1

    Immigration stance

    The party supports "firm but voluntary incentives for immigrants and their descendants to return home".

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    11.6

    UK British National Party

    Percent in country's parliament

    0 (2010)

    Members in European Parliament:

    1

    Immigration stance

    The party supports "firm but voluntary incentives for immigrants and their descendants to return home".

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    11.6

    Austria Freedom Party of Austria

    Percent in country's parliament

    17.5 (2008)

    Members in European Parliament:

    2

    Immigration stance

    Leaders have warned about the growing influence of "radical Islam" in Austria and called for tougher immigration laws.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    12

    Greece Golden Dawn

    Percent in country's parliament

    6 (2012)

    Members in European Parliament:

    0

    Immigration stance

    Halt all immigration. Install bombs at borders to keep illegal immigrants out

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    11.1

    Finland True Finns

    Percent in country's parliament

    19.5 (2011)

    Members in European Parliament:

    1

    Immigration stance

    Limiting immigration to refugee quotas, deporting criminal immigrants and forcing new arrivals to learn Finnish.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    4.5

    Norway Progresss Party

    Percent in country's parliament

    24.3 (2010)

    Members in European Parliament:

    0

    Immigration stance

    They support allowing only refugees rather than other immigrants to stay.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    11.6

    Sweden Sweden Democrats

    Percent in country's parliament

    5.7 (2010)

    Members in European Parliament:

    0

    Immigration stance

    Argues Swedes should not bear the burden for "reckless" immigration policy.

    Percentage of foreign-born in society (includes other EU nationals [2011])

    14.7

    Austria

    Freedom Party of Austria (FPO)

    Founding year: 1956

    Leader:

    Heinz-Christian Strache
    Platform:
    The party has focused since 2006 on anti-immigration, anti-Islam and Eurosceptic issues. It advocates withdrawal from the Eurozone but strongly supports the Austrian welfare state and the assertion of individual freedom in society.
    In the news:
    The original party is ideologically descended from the German national liberal camp. But the modern party redefined itself as more right-wing populist with a 1993 anti-immigration proposal that pushed out classical liberals from the party. The party reached peak popularity in the 1999 legislative election with 26.9 percent.

    Belgium

    Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest)

    Founding year: 2004

    Leader:

    Gerolf Annemans
    Platform:
    The party seeks full independence for Flanders and wants strict immigration standards. Any immigrants allowed in would need to assimilate to Flemish language and culture. The party is also Eurosceptic and supports zero tolerance policing.
    In the news:
    Emerging from the Vlaams Blok in 2004, the party continues to emphasise opposition to immigration and traditional values. The former party leader famously said, "We change our name, but not our tricks. We change our name, but not our programme."

    Denmark

    Danish People's Party (DF)

    Founding year: 1995

    Leader:

    Kristian Thulesen Dahl
    Platform:
    The aim of the Danish People's Party is to assert Denmark's independence, to guarantee the freedom of the Danish people in their own country, and to preserve and promote representative government and the monarchy.
    In the news:
    From 2001 to 2011, the party was a supporting member of ruling government coaltions. It has fought against Denmark becoming a multicultural country by: capping new immigration, opposing refugees, promoting assimilation of immigrants and advocating better services for elderly Danes.

    Finland

    True Finns (PS)

    Founding year: 1995

    Leader:

    Timo Soini
    Platform:
    The party has been characterised as fiscally centre-left while maintaining strong socially conservative values. Sharing populist rhetoric with other Nordic parties, its supporters are opposed to the European Union and globalism. The party originated in the Finnish Rural Party.
    In the news:
    The True Finns captured 19 percent of the vote in the 2011 parliamentary election. With 39 seats, they narrowly came in third place behind the National Coalition and the Social Democrats. The party leader received the highest number of personal votes for any candidate. Soini finished fourth in the 2012 presidential race.

    France

    National Front (FN)

    Founding year: 1972

    Leader:

    Marine Le Pen
    Platform:
    The party is Eurosceptic, takes a zero-tolerance approach to law and order issues, and argues for the deporation unwanted immigrant groups that are not employed and assimilated. The National Front is protective of French jobs and industry, propelling it to the final round of the 2002 presidential election.
    In the news:
    The current leader, who won 18 percent in the 2012 French presidential election, has tried to soften the party's image since the more radical programme of the 1990s, but xenophobia is still one of the FN's trademarks. During a recent visit to the US, Le Pen met with Tea Party Republican Congressman Joe Walsh and with Ron Paul, whose gold standard stance she praised.

    Greece

    Golden Dawn (People's Association)

    Founding year: 1993

    Leader:

    Nikolaos Michaloliakos
    Platform:
    Promoting the slogan "Greece for the Greeks", the anti-austerity party has campaigned against immigration and criticised high unemployment rates.
    In the news:
    The party has been linked in recent months to violent attacks on immigrants from racial minorities and its youth wing has distributed racist messages in Greek schools and organised concerts.

    Italy

    Lega Nord (Northern League)

    Founding year: 1991

    Leader:

    Roberto Maroni
    Platform:
    The party has called for the secession of northern Italy as a new autonomous state called "Padania" and come out against the construction of mosques. It takes a firm stance on immigration from Muslim countries, and also emphasises the fight against terrorism and other types of crime. The party also takes a socially conservative approach to abortion and euthanasia.
    In the news:
    Former party leader Umberto Bossi stepped down in April 2012 following accusations that he had taken funds for personal use. But the party's constitution was changed in order for Bossi to become "federal president" for life. Around half of all northern Italians support the independence of Padania (the Po Valley area) according to recent polls. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi formed an alliance with the Northern League ahead of February 24 elections.

    Netherlands

    Party of Freedom (PVV)

    Founding year: 2006

    Leader:

    Geert Wilders
    Platform:
    PVV is consistently Eurosceptic, often advocating withdrawal from the EU, and takes a hard stand on the integration of immigrants into Dutch society. Islamophobic Wilders has been influenced by the murders of politician Pim Fortuyn and filmmaker Theo van Gogh, who had similar viewpoints.
    In the news:
    The party has recently called for outlawing the Quran, burka and halal food and generally opposes mass immigration, as well as the European Union and inclusion of Turkey. Wilders' party lost 11 seats in the September 2012 Dutch elections, as voters appeared to prefer pro-European centrism.

    Norway

    Progresss Party (Fremskrittspartiet)

    Founding year: 1973

    Leader:

    Siv Jensen
    Platform:
    As the first to emphasise "integration politics" in Norway, the party seeks to ban the hijab in schools, and deport parents of children who wear the hijab. They also support an increase of police on the streets, and a popular referendum on Norweigan membership in the European Union. The party continues to advocate increased use of the country's oil fund for infrastructure development.
    In the news:
    The party is currently the second-largest in the Norweigan parliament and has continued to stress its anti-tax message. Other parties have historically refused co-operation with the party, although the Conservative Party has considered an alliance. In 1999 self-confessed killer Anders Behring Breivik joined the party and was active with its local youth branch. He left the party in 2006, writing later on an internet forum that the party was too open to "multicultural demands".

    Sweden

    Sweden Democrats (SD)

    Founding year: 1988

    Leader:

    Jimmie Akesson
    Platform:
    The main party tenet is that Swedish immigration and integration policies have been a failure. SD also supports the traditional nuclear family and opposes any policies that promote the agenda of the Swedish "Homosex Lobby".
    In the news:
    2010 was the first year that the party passed the four percent threshold necessary for parliamentary representation, gaining 20 seats. The party had been founded as a successor to the Sweden Party, in turned co-founded by racist organisation Bevara Sverige Svenskt (Keep Sweden Swedish).

    Switzerland

    Swiss People's Party (SVP)

    Founding year: 1971

    Leader:

    Toni Brunner
    Platform:
    Also known as Democratic Union of the Centre, the party aims to preserve Swiss sovereignty and social conservatism. SVP rejects the idea of Switzerland joining the European Union and any increases in government spening on welfare. Much of the party's emphasis is on immigration and homeland security policy.
    In the news:
    Becoming the largest party in the Federal Assembly in 2007, it has been the strongest political force for the last decade. It advocates the continued strict neutrality of the country in foreign relations. The party successfully pushed through a minaret construction ban in 2009. SVP sparked controversy with posters of three white sheep kicking a black sheep off the Swiss flag.

    UK

    British National Party (BNP)

    Founding year: 1982

    Leader:

    Nick Griffin
    Platform:
    With a national membership of 4,200, the party opposes anti-discrimination legislation and says it "will oppose the intrusion of non-British and alien cultural influences which undermine our traditional value systems". The BNP also seeks to ensure "that pensions are eligible only to Britons".
    In the news:
    The party leader recently said: "I’m not against Islam per se, but I believe that there is a fundamental clash between the values of Islam and the values of the West.” Griffin also became the target of a police investigation after tweeting the address of a gay couple who had won a key court ruling. Until 2012, the party only admitted "indigenous British" people.


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