To Engage or Not to Engage with the Far Right? How to Navigate the Shifting Political Landscape in Europe.

Abstract

As civil society strives to navigate a new political landscape dominated by radical, mostly far-right, representatives, this policy analysis offers an analytical framework capable of assisting its organisations in making informed decisions and balancing the risks and opportunities stemming from such engagement.  It highlights critical questions to help organisations assess whether and how to engage with far-right actors, notably contextual factors (what influence does the far-right representative actually wield, and how does it impact your organisation's goals?), ethical concerns (Are the views of these actors compatible with democratic principles and human rights?), and strategic gains (Are there tangible benefits to engagement that outweigh potential reputational and ideological risks?). If much of civil society has historically refused to engage with the far right, it did so because of incompatible values but also due to these parties’ previously marginal or limited role. To maintain such an ideological stance may reveal more challenges in the 2024-2029 political cycle. This legislature may force civil society to reconsider its traditional stance and determine whether to engage with the far right based on the risks and perceived opportunities stemming from such an engagement. This appears inevitable insofar as far-right representatives do chair EP parliamentary committees, sit in the EU College of Commissioners or are part of the government at the national level, to name a few examples.  This guidance document balances the pragmatic need to engage with controversial political representatives and parties and remain true to the organisations’ core values.