Key points
- Surge in immigration and weak economic growth blamed for far-right drift
- France, the UK and Germany face voter backlash
- Far-right parties enter govts in countries such as Italy, Finland and the Netherlands
ISLAMABAD: For the first time in modern history, far-right and populist parties are simultaneously topping the polls in Europe’s three main economies of Germany, France and Britain.
A poll Tuesday showed Alternative for Germany, which is under surveillance by the country’s intelligence services over suspected extremism, is now the most favored by voters.
The survey by broadcaster RTL put the AfD at 26 per cent, ahead of the ruling Christian Democrats at 24 per cent, according to the NBC News.
Growing voter discontent
It is the latest sign of growing voter discontent in much of the continent following years of high immigration and inflation.
Far-right and anti-immigration parties have already entered government in countries such as Italy, Finland and the Netherlands, according to the Wall Street Journal.
But this year marks the first time that they have been ahead in Europe’s biggest economies at the same time.
Period of political turbulence
That could provoke a period of political turbulence in all three countries, even if national elections are likely still a few years away.
Far-right parties have been elected over the past few years into the governments of Italy, Hungary and elsewhere. The center right and the center left have hemorrhaged votes amid high inflation, fears over immigration and collapsing faith in institutions — all familiar issues in America, too.
