Far-right populists lead polls in Germany, France and Britain
Far-Right Parties Lead Polls in Major European Economies
For the first time, far-right populist parties top polls in Germany, the UK, and France — Europe’s three biggest economies.
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) recently polled at 26%, ahead of the ruling Christian Democrats. This follows long-standing leads by Reform UK and France’s National Rally. As NBC’s Nic Cheeseman puts it, this is a “sign of the power of populism, disinformation and the failure of established parties to understand what is happening.”
A Shift Once Unthinkable
A decade ago, far-right parties were fringe, known mostly for being anti-immigration and anti-Islam. Today, economic struggles and discontent with traditional politics have fueled their rise.
Political Power Still Uncertain
Despite leading polls, these parties remain far from winning majorities. Elections in France, Germany, and the UK aren’t due until 2027 or later.
Europe at a Crossroads
A far-right government in any of these nations would mark a historic political shift for Europe.
