Europe Braces for Democratic Backsliding as Far-Right Gains Momentum
By [Your Name], Chief International Correspondent
Brussels – A confluence of challenges is testing the foundations of European democracy, from surging far-right movements to external interference and a perceived lack of responsiveness from mainstream governments. As the European Union grapples with these pressures, a surprising element complicates matters: a U.S. administration that has, at times, appeared to undermine faith in its democratic allies.
Recent electoral gains by far-right parties across the continent have rattled the political establishment, drawing parallels to the political climate in the United States. This shift comes as authoritarian regimes actively seek to manipulate the information landscape, further eroding trust in democratic institutions.
The situation is particularly concerning given the stance taken by the U.S. administration. Its 2025 National Security Strategy drew criticism for seemingly defending parties considered a threat to democracy, and that posture has only intensified in 2026.
While broad measures of democracy in Europe haven’t drastically declined over the past decade – with Hungary being a notable exception – experts warn that a more significant collapse is a real possibility. This has spurred debate about how to bolster democratic resilience, leading to the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience in February and the implementation of national strategies in several countries, including the United Kingdom’s Defending Democracy Taskforce.
However, current approaches may be misdirected. Critics argue that focusing solely on countering external threats – such as disinformation campaigns from Russia and China, and increasingly, from U.S. networks – addresses the symptoms rather than the root causes of democratic fragility.
“European democracy cannot be comprehensively defended through formal standards and exchanges on best practices for online election standards,” one analyst noted. “It requires a much more political approach to democratic resistance.”
A key issue is the failure to address underlying political dysfunction and power imbalances within European democracies. Many believe that polarization isn’t simply a byproduct of external manipulation, but a result of governments failing to offer a broad enough range of policy options responsive to citizens’ concerns.
The EU is also facing criticism for its ambivalent response to protests against illiberal regimes in member states like Hungary and candidate countries like Serbia. While actively working to counter foreign interference, the EU has been hesitant to fully support citizen-led movements advocating for democratic change.
Furthermore, the transfer of power from national governments to the EU level without corresponding democratic accountability remains a significant challenge. Experts suggest that a deeper democratization of the European project itself is essential for building resilience.
The path forward requires a “full-spectrum” approach, one that goes beyond simply defending against threats and focuses on revitalizing democratic practices. This includes reforming party systems, strengthening parliaments, and fostering a spirit of contestation and pluralism. Recent commitments from the EU in 2025 are a start, but require significantly more political commitment and innovation to take root.
