In the new European Parliament (2024-2029), the four party groups on the right together hold 52% of the seats. However, given the historical lack of unity on the far right and the reluctance of the centre-right to cooperate with the far right, some consider right policies unlikely. The four right groups from centre-right to far right are: the European People’s Party (EPP), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Patriots for Europe (PfE), and Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN).
EU politics differ from national politics; there is no coalition government based on a negotiated contract. Instead, coalitions form for each bill anew. Previous parliaments were characterised by a grand coalition of centre-left and centre-right with the liberals acting as kingmaker. Cooperation with the far right was against the norm often referred to as the cordon sanitaire. The current Zeitgeist, however, is one of a normalisation of far-right ideas and increasingly of cooperation between the centre-right and far right. In which areas are we most likely to see such an alliance?
About the authors:
Philipp Broniecki is a Postdoctoral Fellow/Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Oslo.
Bjørn Høyland is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Oslo.