UK, France polls could loosen traditional parties' grip on power

This has allowed space and appetite for Brexit champion and Eurosceptic Nigel Farage to resurface. Known to be among Britain's 'most divisive politicians', he recently announced he would stand in July's general election for the new right-wing British party Reform UK. It's referred to as Farage's party because it is registered as a private company in official records rather than as a conventional political organisation. Reform UK supporters now comprise 17% of the electorate, trailing the Conservatives by only three percentage points.

Opposition to immigration seems to be a unifying issue for Britain's Reform UK and France's National Rally. However, they are not only calling for restrictions on immigration. They also want to prevent legal immigrants from obtaining citizenship and slow the issuing of visas for foreign workers, among other measures.

Decline of traditional parties

The rise of extreme right-wing movements in Europe and around the world—the subject of a recent special coverage series by Al Majalla—continues to be a significant phenomenon in the public life of democratic countries.

It shows how traditional parties—which have dominated the political landscape since the end of World War II—have lost public support through their empty words and promises. These parties have struggled to adapt to profound societal changes and have failed to manage immigration waves effectively.

As a result, right-wing groups have been able to exploit economic and social frustrations to recruit supporters. The poor and middle classes see their governments prioritise the wealthy at their expense and being largely dismissive of their growing problems, as seen by this year's farmers' protests across several European countries, particularly in France.