By: Clare Atkinson

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was recently quoted during an interview regarding the conflict in Ukraine stating that one should not “underestimate the power of democracy”. However, democratic backslide among Western European nations is a worrying symptom of the recent reemergence of right-wing authoritarianism. This threat does not just plague ‘peripheral’ Eastern European nations, such as Poland and Hungary, but also countries who have fought to ‘defend democracy’ in territories around the world. Current political parties and national leaders are using modern tactics to appeal to a new generation of potential supporters. While right-wing populists used to unite around anti-communist messages, this rhetoric is antiquated and does not resonate with most voters today. Politicians such as British prime minister Boris Johnson and French presidential candidates Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour preach nationalistic sentiments, opposition to international institutions, and a socially conservative religious worldview to demonize pluralism and subtly promote autocracy through new channels of communication. This demonstrates the fragmentation of right-wing ideology in Europe which has the potential to degrade the current rules-based order and disintegrate international cooperation.

         Freedom House cites the United Kingdom as being one of the most free nations in the world in 2022, and the government cites “defending democracy” as one of its main policy goals. However, the administration of Boris Johnson has not only undermined European integration, but also used the media to spread dangerous messages. Johnson’s Brexit campaign touted the slogan “unleash Britain’s potential”- proclaiming a return to the supremacy enjoyed by the former British empire. This was supplemented by lies about the implications of continued EU membership, including costs incurred by the National Health Service from immigrants and foreign laborers, in an attempt to vilify European unity in favor of self-interested national unity. Furthermore, Johnson has been cited on several occasions for speaking out against immigration and making Islamophobic comments. While these messages may not seem detrimental to democratic order in isolation, the current media environment allows leaders to reach individual voters in ways that will specifically appeal to them, changing political discourse completely and allowing the Brexit referendum to pass.

         Although only candidates, Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour represent a chance for the far-right in France to gain a foothold in government like never before. Their blatant xenophobia – exemplified by Le Pen’s campaign promise of “keeping France for the French” and Zemmour preaching the “great replacement theory”, the idea that Muslims immigrants will ‘replace’ Europeans – has gained popularity. Beyond an outward hatred of immigration, Muslim immigration in particular, the only politician that rivals Le Pen in her stance against the EU is Zemmour. While these types of candidates have always existed in French politics, they rarely make it past the first round of elections, due to their lack of compromise and hence their inability to form a coalition. Now, with two politicians united in these fringe views and the growing unpopularity of the incumbent, the right-wing is more dangerous than ever in France.

         France and Britain are what many would consider two of the most stable democracies today, and yet they both exhibit worrying signs of right-wing authoritarianism. These two nations, and these leaders, are only a few examples of these sentiments in Europe, and their views and actions are relatively mild compared to others. Furthermore, the similarities in their respective ideologies show signs of potential cooperation around these anti-democratic objectives, further threatening the already struggling European institutions.

         Americans, and citizens of other long-established democracies, take the current liberal order for granted and do not consider the consequences that isolationism and autocratic rule could have on the entire globe. In an increasingly globalized world, we are now more than ever facing  complex problems which require unity, such as climate change and a global pandemic. Not only will a lack of cooperation prevent action against these issues, but it will continue to create conflicts and undermine the basic rights which we enjoy in our democracy. Right-wing populist leaders across Europe are spreading similar ideologies which not only undermines current European institutions, but could potentially facilitate new organizations who are unified on a platform of disunity. Becoming aware of the possibility of a democratic backslide in formerly stable democracies and recognizing the messages of leaders with authoritarian tendencies is the only way to curb the spread of this toxic ideology.

Note: This editorial was written prior to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.