Europe is undergoing a political transformation of historic proportions — a sweeping right-wing wave shaking the very foundations of its postwar order. From Prague to Paris, Vienna to Stockholm, populist and nationalist movements are not just surging; they’re rewriting the continent’s political map. What many once dismissed as fringe discontent has become a full-blown ideological rebellion against the establishment.
Voters, frustrated with immigration, economic stagnation, soaring energy costs, and cultural upheavals, are turning to leaders who promise control, sovereignty, and national pride. This “political earthquake” now rippling through Europe is not a passing tremor — it’s a fundamental shift that could redefine the European Union, NATO strategy, and Western unity for years to come.
The Roots of the Right-Wing Revival
The causes of this upheaval are unmistakable. The lingering aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, inflation, and an unprecedented migration wave have fueled deep distrust of centrist and progressive governance. To many Europeans, Brussels represents not unity, but overreach — an unelected bureaucracy imposing ideology over democracy.
Populist leaders have effectively harnessed this sentiment. From Babiš in the Czech Republic to Kickl in Austria, Wilders in the Netherlands, and Weidel in Germany, their rallying cry is clear: “Take back control from Brussels.”
Czech Republic: Babiš’s Populist Comeback
In a stunning victory on October 4, 2025, billionaire populist Andrej Babiš and his ANO (YES) party captured 35% of the vote and 86 seats in the Czech parliament. Babiš’s message — prioritizing domestic economics over foreign wars — resonated deeply. He slammed rising energy prices, inflation, and military aid to Ukraine, promising to “make the Czech Republic great again.”
This marks a sharp pivot for Prague, which, under the outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala, had been a staunch supporter of Ukraine. “Truth has prevailed!” tweeted Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, celebrating the result. With a voter turnout of 69%, Czechs sent a resounding message: their focus is shifting from geopolitics to household economics.
Austria: Fortress Austria and Kickl’s Surge
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), under Herbert Kickl, achieved a historic breakthrough in September 2024, winning 28.8% of the vote — its best-ever performance and the first far-right national victory since WWII.
Kickl’s “Fortress Austria” slogan — centered on “remigration,” border control, and ending sanctions on Russia — has electrified his base. With polls now placing the FPÖ between 35–37%, Austria is on the verge of forming its most nationalist government in modern times.
Kickl’s rise, cheered by Europe’s far-right allies, symbolizes a broader continental demand: sovereignty first, Brussels second.
Netherlands: Wilders’s Immigration Referendum
In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders has turned the upcoming elections on October 29, 2025, into a referendum on immigration. His Party for Freedom (PVV) leads the polls with 28–33 projected seats, despite strained ties with coalition partners.
Wilders’s rhetoric — fiery, anti-Islam, and anti-asylum — continues to resonate with Dutch voters battered by housing shortages and healthcare strain. His slogan, “The Netherlands for the Dutch,” taps into a potent mix of cultural and economic discontent.
Germany: AfD’s Alarming Ascendancy
Germany, long seen as Europe’s bastion of centrist stability, now faces a political rupture. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged to 27% in Forsa’s latest poll — overtaking Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU/CSU bloc.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel has become the movement’s sharpest voice. In a recent rally, she declared:
“We want a strong Europe — but without the unelected Ursula von der Leyen and without an EU dictatorship.”
Her words struck a chord with millions who see the European Commission as a distant power unaccountable to voters. Classified by intelligence agencies as a “right-wing extremist” party, AfD nonetheless dominates in eastern regions and among younger male voters.
Mainstream parties continue to enforce a “firewall” against coalition with AfD, but the barrier is eroding under electoral pressure. The consequences could be dramatic — for Germany’s domestic politics, EU cohesion, and support for Ukraine.
France: Le Pen’s Shadow and Bardella’s Momentum
In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) remains a formidable force. Despite her 2024 37% vote share and subsequent conviction — now under appeal — the RN has solidified as the dominant opposition.
Le Pen’s protégé, Jordan Bardella, has capitalized on the chaos engulfing Macron’s government, which faces collapsing coalitions and budget crises. With Macron’s allies losing grip on the National Assembly, RN now commands the political narrative — nationalism, identity, and “restoring France’s dignity.”
Spain: Vox’s Anti-Woke Offensive
In Spain, Santiago Abascal’s Vox has rebounded, polling between 14–17% and appealing strongly to younger men. Framing itself as Europe’s “anti-woke” crusade, Vox combines fierce anti-immigration policies with culture-war messaging against what it calls “globalist elites.”
Hosting the “Make Europe Great Again” summit in Madrid, Vox is emerging as a continental connector for Europe’s nationalist right, linking Iberia with central and eastern populist movements.
Sweden: Democrats’ Steady Advance
The Sweden Democrats (SD) continue their quiet but steady climb, polling between 18–21.6% — within striking distance of the ruling Moderates. Once ostracized for their extremist origins, SD now wields power as a kingmaker within the governing coalition.
Their platform — tougher asylum rules, harsh crime penalties, and skepticism toward NATO expansion — resonates in a Sweden grappling with gang violence and shifting demographics.
A Continental Realignment
Across Europe, these movements are uniting under the Patriots for Europe banner — a pan-right European Parliament alliance including RN, FPÖ, and Vox. Their rallying cry, “Make Europe Great Again,” mirrors the populist surge reshaping Western democracies.
Support for Ukraine is waning, EU centralization is losing legitimacy, and the ideological heart of Europe is moving rightward. As more leaders challenge Brussels’ power and call for “sovereignty without subservience,” the postwar liberal consensus appears to be cracking.
What next?: Aftershocks and Uncertainty
Europe stands at a crossroads. Critics warn of democratic backsliding and the revival of authoritarian nationalism. Supporters counter that this is democracy’s renaissance — a long-overdue revolt against unelected elites and failed technocrats.
As “#PoliticalEarthquake” trends across social platforms, one reality is clear: the ground beneath Europe’s centrist order is shifting irreversibly. Whether this new right-wing tide reshapes Europe’s future or fractures it entirely, the aftershocks have only just begun.
