Far-right parties in Europe shift focus on EU membership

Far-right parties in Europe are shifting their focus away from advocating for their countries to leave the European Union, as they aim to attract mainstream voters. This change in strategy is evident as parties like the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV) and France's National Rally (RN) have abandoned explicit plans for 'Nexit' and 'Frexit', respectively.

The PVV, led by Geert Wilders, which previously called for a binding referendum on Nexit, now emphasizes working to change the EU from within. Similarly, the RN, led by Jordan Bardella, has dismissed the idea of a Frexit, opting to focus on gaining power within the EU.

In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has considered a 'Dexit' referendum if EU reforms are not achieved. However, the party has downgraded this scenario to a 'last resort' due to declining support and internal controversies.

Other far-right parties in Europe, such as the Finns Party in Finland and the Sweden Democrats, have also expressed aspirations for 'Fixit' and 'Swexit', respectively, but have faced challenges due to lack of public support.

Overall, the upcoming European Parliament elections are crucial for these far-right parties as they navigate their stance on EU membership and seek to appeal to a broader voter base. The shift towards addressing issues like immigration and EU reform reflects a strategic move to gain political influence while remaining within the European Union.