The European far-right has achieved significant electoral breakthroughs across the continent. Germany, for example, saw the anti-immigration AfD become its primary opposition party. This occurred in the February 2025 legislative elections, where it secured 20.8 percent of the vote.
The AfD finished second overall, behind Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives. Additionally, it recorded historic regional victories in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in September 2024. Meanwhile, Italy provides another powerful example, with Giorgia Meloni leading the government since October 2022 following her party’s 2022 legislative victory.
Elsewhere, Austria’s Freedom Party (FPO) led the September 2024 legislative elections but failed to form a government. In Switzerland, the nationalist Swiss People’s Party (SVP) became the largest party in its lower house after the October 2023 elections. Furthermore, France’s National Rally gained the most seats in its lower house in 2024, although rival alliances curbed its power.
Spain’s far-right Vox party has allied with conservatives to govern in several regions. Portugal’s Chega (“Enough”) also topped 20 percent in May 2025 legislative elections. However, Sweden’s far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) faced an unexpected setback in September 2025, with support declining for the first time.
Conversely, Finland’s Finns Party joined a governing coalition after its strong showing in April 2023. Belgium’s Vlaams Belang increased its parliamentary seats significantly in June 2024, becoming the largest opposition. In Britain, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK won 14 percent of the vote and secured its first five MPs in July 2024.
The Netherlands’ far-right, despite Geert Wilders’ narrow loss in November 2025, remains powerful, as other parties made strong gains. The Czech Republic’s far-right SPD has joined the governing coalition since December 2025. Similarly, Slovakia’s nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico returned to power in October 2023, forming a coalition that includes the far-right SNS. Such outcomes underscore the persistent impact of the European far-right.
By contrast, Hungary’s ultraconservative Viktor Orban was defeated in April 2026 after years in power. Poland’s pro-European government faced a challenge with the election of nationalist Karol Nawrocki as president in June 2025. In Romania, the far-right AUR leader finished second in the May 2025 presidential election, further illustrating the complex political landscape.
