Europe’s Democratic Resilience Tested by Far-Right Surge and U.S. Provocations

European democracy faces a confluence of challenges: the rise of far-right parties, interference from authoritarian regimes, and a perplexing stance from the United States, which increasingly frames its democratic allies as threats. While democratic norms haven’t drastically deteriorated over the past decade, the potential for a more significant collapse looms, prompting debate about how to bolster Europe’s democratic foundations.

The Creeping Influence of the Far-Right

Far-right parties are gaining traction across Europe. Support for these forces increased in 22 of the 27 EU countries during the 2024 European elections [1]. As of 2024, far-right parties held just over a quarter (26%) of the seats in the European Parliament [1]. This growing presence allows them to influence the balance of power within the EU, particularly given the EU’s consensus-based approach to decision-making. Representatives of far-right parties have been involved in all major EU decisions since the 2024 elections [1], with key influence centers in the European Council and the Council of the EU.

A Shifting Political Landscape

The traditional strategy of containing extremist forces – known as a cordon sanitaire – is breaking down. Six EU countries – Italy, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, and the Czech Republic – currently have hard-right parties in government [2]. In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders is poised to lead a right-wing government, and in Sweden, the executive relies on support from the nationalist Sweden Democrats [2]. In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is leading in polls [2], and Alternative for Germany is polling strongly in Germany.

The U.S. Factor and European Autonomy

Adding to these internal challenges is the stance of the U.S. Administration. The United States’ 2025 National Security Strategy defended illiberal parties that threaten democracy, and the Trump administration has continued to provoke Europe’s liberal order [3]. This has sparked debate about European autonomy, but simply asserting independence from the U.S. Doesn’t address the underlying issues affecting European democracy.

Beyond Information Control: The Need for Political Renewal

Current European strategies for democratic resilience often focus on countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), with initiatives like the Centre for Democratic Resilience and national taskforces. While these efforts are necessary, they address symptoms rather than root causes. Controlling information flows cannot tackle the distortions of information ecosystems or the susceptibility of citizens to misinformation. Effective resilience requires a more political approach, focusing on improving democratic practices and addressing the underlying dysfunctionalities and power imbalances within European democracies.

Addressing Polarization and Revitalizing Political Systems

Many policies center on mitigating polarization, aiming to rebuild consensus. Still, this approach can be overly depoliticized. While containing extremist parties is important, democracy protection requires open and critical politics. Polarization stems from a failure to offer a wide range of policy options responsive to citizens’ concerns.

Reviving contestation and pluralism is crucial. This requires reshaping party systems, addressing the decline of parliamentary leverage, and supporting citizen-led mobilization. The EU has been hesitant to fully support protests in member states like Hungary and Serbia, often calling for restraint from both regimes and protestors.

Democratizing the European Project

The transfer of powers from national to EU levels without commensurate democratic accountability is a significant challenge. Democratic resilience requires the European project to democratize itself, with more inclusive decision-making processes and tangible influence for citizens, community groups, and civic organizations.

A Cautious Approach to Confrontation

There’s a growing call for a more assertive approach, including legal actions against far-right parties. However, European liberals must avoid conflating defending democracy with defending their own positions and must establish clear red lines regarding the utilize of illiberal means.

The Path Forward

European attempts at democratic resilience are still in their early stages. A stronger political commitment, boldness, and innovation are needed to build a more robust approach to defending and deepening European democracy. Europe’s experience will be crucial for informing efforts in other regions facing similar challenges.