The European far right is expected to gain new visibility in the next European Parliament, with surveys predicting these parties to win around 144 seats out of 720. This will make the European Parliament a platform for Euroscepticism, potentially weakening the bloc’s liberal-democratic framework. However, the foreign policy of an EU leaning more towards the far right remains uncertain. Far-right parties typically prioritize issues related to national identity and domestic polarization, with foreign policy being secondary. These parties may form coalitions on issues such as moral conservatism and criticism of the EU while differing on foreign policy, as seen with parties like PiS in Poland and Viktor Orbán in Hungary taking opposing stances on the war in Ukraine.
The most obvious divide within the European far right in terms of foreign policy is their stance on Russia. Some parties, like the AfD in Germany, the FPÖ in Austria, and Matteo Salvini’s Lega in Italy, hold pro-Russian positions. On the other hand, there are parties like Brothers of Italy, Vox in Spain, and PiS in Poland that are pro-US and pro-NATO, aligning themselves with Ukraine. The support for Ukraine’s war effort and its bid to join the EU may face more skeptical voices in the European Parliament if the far right gains more seats, with criticisms likely focusing on the cost and implications of such support.
The European far right is generally united in their opposition to the Green Deal, viewing it as costly and bureaucratic. They have also expressed support for Israel in the Israel-Gaza conflict, seeing Israel as a democracy fighting against Islamist terrorism. While antisemitism has not disappeared entirely from the European far-right landscape, it has been toned down in public communication. A more far-right EU is also expected to take a tougher stance on migration, with leaders like Giorgia Meloni advocating for EU support for Africa in exchange for African countries keeping migrants and accepting failed asylum seekers.
When it comes to China, the European far right is divided. Central European countries, such as Hungary, have established ties with China, while parties like AfD and FPÖ have faced corruption scandals related to Chinese money. Italy’s Meloni has withdrawn from the Belt and Road agreement due to US presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s anti-China stance. The European far right’s ability to influence EU foreign policy will depend on their ability to form coalitions and the outcome of the US presidential elections. Overall, the European far right is expected to advocate for a foreign policy less committed to liberal democratic values and more inclined towards transactional policies with the rest of the world.
Marlene Laruelle, a research professor at George Washington University, emphasizes that the views expressed in the article are her own and do not represent the editorial position of Euronews. She highlights that while the European far right may have an impact on EU foreign policy, their stance is generally adaptable and opportunistic, with coalitions being formed based on shared interests despite differences in foreign policy. Laruelle also stresses the need for a nuanced understanding of the European far right’s position on various foreign policy issues and the implications of their potential influence on the EU’s foreign relations.
