Will Europe join them? The far right is close to power in Italy and may soon expand across Europe.

Unfortunately for them though, not enough people understand this and end up contributing towards its proliferation. So… when is a good time and how should one prepare himself/herself? Last edited 3 hours ago As it was originally intended as a peace project between France and Germany during wartime, far-right parties were initially barred from mainstream European politics. Last month, world leaders met in northern France to commemorate 80 years since D-Day, when allies amphibious assault on Normandy helped secure defeat of Nazi Germany; but these same far-right or “hard right” or “populist nationalist” parties now form coalition governments in various EU nations such as Netherlands Italy Finland where labelling these parties can present difficulties. Politicians from EU member nations frequently adjust and vary from one nation to the next in their policies; normalisation hasn’t come about overnight either: former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi – an uncompromising centre-right politician – was one of the first leaders who decided to embrace change as soon as he came into power in Italy in 1993. He formed his government with post-fascist Italian political group Movimento Sociale Italiano back in 1994; six years later Austria’s conservatives entered a coalition agreement with far-right Freedom Party. It was an earthquake for French politics. Crucially for Marine Le Pen, those supporting her no longer feel embarrassed to admit it and the National Rally is no longer seen as a radical protest movement. Many view RN as offering a credible political program, regardless of criticism from opponents. An Ipsos survey for Financial Times newspaper indicates that French voters trust them more than any other party with managing the economy and (currently weak) public finances, according to an Ipsos poll conducted among French citizens. Just consider Donald Trump in the US, Reform UK’s unexpected breakthrough at Thursday’s UK election and Germany’s controversial anti-immigration AfD party’s huge success. Many perceive French President Macron, an ex-merchant banker himself, as arrogant and distant from everyday concerns outside Paris’ bubble. They point out the party has broadening support, and insist its image shouldn’t always be defined by Le Pen senior’s racist past. Similar claims can be heard out of Rome: Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni once used to praise Mussolini. Her Brothers of Italy party may have post-fascist roots, yet she now leads one of Europe’s most stable governments. Recently she censured a meeting of its youth wing where members had been seen giving fascist salutes on video footage. Witness Geert Wilders’ stunning performance in the Netherlands general elections as an anti-immigration politician who has frequently been charged with hate speech and who often stands alone against immigrants and refugee flows, who has frequently been labeled far right by critics and has faced allegations of hate speech in his time in office. Debating who defines “far right” should become part of political dialogue in our societies today. Many factors come into play here, with much depending on the makeup of each party; but Meloni has gained international acceptance while Le Pen remains marginalised within France itself. According to Radio Netherlands Worldwide however, an outright victory may still be possible this Sunday and an overall majority is in reach for her party. Polls indicate a paralysed parliament or unruly coalition government composed of non-Le Pen parties as the likely outcomes. Any of these scenarios is likely to reduce President Emmanuel Macron to something of a lame-duck presidency, leaving France and Germany turning inward during an uncertain global landscape where war rages in Gaza and Ukraine. Donald Trump has made no secret of his antipathy for Europe or Nato and stands a chance of returning to the White House in November, making a precarious timetable for Europe without leadership, voters feeling exposed and vulnerable. Marine Le Pen supporters remain hopeful and expect their moment will arrive sometime over time – regardless of which weekend their leader runs on Sunday or not. Soon. BBC InDepth is soon-to-be the new home on our website and app for top journalists’ analysis and expertise, under a distinct new brand. Under its banner we will bring fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions; deep reporting on today’s biggest issues; plus thoughtful content from BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. Starting small but thinking big; please tell us your opinion by clicking below on our feedback button –