In the June elections for
the European Parliament
right-wing and far-right parties
are expected to gain more seats.
So far, the far right has
not yet managed to unite at
the European level.
It´s divided into different factions.
But what would a
right-wing surge in the
European Parliament mean?
What consequences would it
have for the EU and the world?
If Europe’s “right-wing factions”
became a stronger and united
group, they would most likely try
to reduce migration into the
EU - by attempting
to change EU laws.
This, in turn, might mean an
increased number of people trying
to enter the EU irregularly,
via land routes or across the
dangerous Mediterranean Sea
and the Atlantic.
The far right would also likely try
to force the EU to abandon its goal
of being climate neutral by 2050 -
many right-wing and far-right parties
say green laws are having
a negative effect on
domestic workers and farmers.
European aid to developing countries
could also be reduced drastically.
But all this changes would require
a united right and far-right’s
political front, which experts
believe, the different groups are
still unlikely to achieve.
The main sticking point: Russia.
One of Italy's right-wing parties,
the Lega, as well as the
Freedom Party of Austria,
have both criticized the
West's hard line
against Russia after
its invasion of Ukraine.
But Poland's right-wing
Law and Justice party and
Italy's other far-right party,
the Brothers of Italy,
are strong backers of Ukraine.
And even if the far right factions
able to unite - Europe’s conservative
and centrist parties have so far
refused to make deals with them –
however, if that changed, the
far right and right wing parties
would truly gain influence
in the European parliament.