Podcast: Is Europe's biggest political party shifting too far to the right?

Published on 20/03/2026 - 10:24 GMT+1

France's section elections and the leaked connection betwixt centre-right and far-right parties successful the European Parliament person brought the contented of governmental polarisation successful the European Union backmost to the forefront.

Brussels, My Love? explored these topics with the French-German researcher Sophie Pornschlegel, Svenska Dagbladet’s analogous Teresa Küchler, and Euronews' Stefan Grobe.

The right-wing radical chat

According to an investigation by the German quality bureau dpa, the centre-right, pro-EU European People's Party (EPP) has been collaborating with far-right parties, including Alternative for Germany (AfD), connected tougher EU migration laws, with connection happening connected a WhatsApp group. Manfred Weber, the EPP’s leader, is astatine the centre of the scandal.

“It’s precise atrocious for Manfred Weber and the Christian Democrats successful Germany,” Stefan Grobe said. “Not a time goes by that they don’t accidental ‘there’s a firewall betwixt america and the far-right’ (...) and each of a abrupt we larn that helium [Weber] successful concealed negotiated with the AfD,” helium continued.

According to Pornschlegel, connected the different hand, this probe should not travel arsenic a surprise.

Pornschlegel underlined that the EPP has been moving with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and different far-right parties since the past European elections successful 2024 connected galore legislative files, including deregulation and migration.

The polarised section elections

Last Sunday, the archetypal circular of the 2026 municipal elections was held successful France, with astir 48.7 cardinal voters called to the polls. In cities wherever nary campaigner reached 50%, a 2nd circular volition beryllium held connected March 22.

In Paris, the socialist campaigner Emmanuel Grégoire is polling ahead, portion successful Lyon an confederation betwixt the Greens and the hard-left France Unbowed has reshaped the race.

According to Küchler, these elections amusement erstwhile again that "Macron's centre is gone," arsenic much extremist parties to the close (National Rally) and near (France Unbowed) are taking the lead.

Pornschlegel, however, believes these elections are not a litmus trial for the statesmanlike contention of 2027. According to her, the governmental stakes are different, and the turnout of this predetermination was peculiarly low.

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Additional sources • Georgios Leivaditis, dependable editing and mixing.