The political landscape across Europe has undergone a seismic shift in 2025, with anti-immigrant sentiment emerging as the dominant force reshaping governance across the continent. What began as fringe movements have solidified into mainstream political forces, transforming policy priorities and public discourse in ways unimaginable just five years ago.
I’ve spent the past three months traveling through France, Germany, Italy, and Hungary, interviewing politicians, policy experts, and ordinary citizens. The transformation is unmistakable – and deeply concerning for those who value democratic pluralism.
“We’re witnessing the most significant rightward shift in European politics since the 1930s,” explains Dr. Sophia Müller, Director of the European Migration Institute in Berlin. “The difference today is the sophisticated mainstreaming of previously extreme positions through highly effective digital messaging.”
The Numbers Behind the Shift
Recent polling from the European Social Survey shows anti-immigrant parties now hold governmental power or serve as critical coalition partners in 14 of 27 EU member states – double the number from 2023. Electoral support for these parties has jumped from an average of 17% in 2020 to nearly 31% today.
In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally now controls 157 parliamentary seats, making it the largest single party in the National Assembly. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) commands 103 seats in the Bundestag, while Italy’s Brothers of Italy lead a governing coalition implementing Europe’s strictest asylum restrictions to date.
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, once considered an outlier for his hardline immigration stance, told me during an interview in Budapest: “Europe has finally awakened to reality. What they called extremism yesterday is common sense today.”
Policy Transformations
The policy impact has been swift and substantial. Since January, seven European nations have approved legislation suspending asylum processing or limiting total admissions to historically low numbers. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has seen its budget increase by 45% this year alone, with much of that funding directed toward deportation operations.
Spain’s normally progressive government recently approved controversial “floating barriers” in waters near the Canary Islands to deter migrant boats – a measure that has been condemned by human rights organizations but supported by 58% of Spanish voters according to recent polls.
“We’re seeing a race to the bottom on migrant rights,” says Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality. “What would have been politically toxic in 2020 is now presented as pragmatic governance.”
During my reporting trip to the Italian coastal town of Lampedusa, I witnessed firsthand the human impact of these policies. Where once there were reception centers offering humanitarian assistance, military personnel now process immediate returns. Local resident Marco Bartoli, who previously volunteered to help arriving refugees, told me: “The government has convinced many that compassion is naïveté. I don’t recognize my country anymore.”
The Economic Context
The anti-immigrant wave coincides with Europe’s economic struggles. GDP growth across the eurozone has averaged just 1.2% annually since 2022, while inflation has reduced purchasing power by nearly 11% for the average household.
“Economic anxiety creates fertile ground for scapegoating,” explains economist Thomas Piketty at the Paris School of Economics. “When living standards decline, politicians find it expedient to blame outsiders rather than address structural problems in the economy.”
Government data contradicts many popular narratives. Research published by Germany’s Federal Office for Migration shows immigrants contributed €42 billion more to public finances than they received in benefits between 2018-2023. Yet public perception remains sharply negative, with 64% of Europeans believing immigration is a net economic burden according to Eurobarometer data.
Digital Amplification
The rapid normalization of anti-immigrant politics has been accelerated by sophisticated digital campaigns. My investigation into messaging platforms used by right-wing parties revealed coordinated cross-border strategies utilizing AI-generated content to target specific voter segments.
“The messaging has evolved from crude xenophobia to sophisticated economic and cultural framing,” notes Camille Dupont at the Digital Democracy Institute in Brussels. “Arguments about resource scarcity and cultural preservation have replaced explicitly racist language, making these positions more palatable to middle-class voters.”
This shift has created challenges for traditional media. During an editorial meeting at a major German newspaper I attended (on condition of anonymity), journalists debated whether using the term “far-right” was still appropriate for parties now commanding mainstream support.
Looking Forward
Not all trajectories point rightward. Countermovements have emerged, particularly among younger voters. Pro-immigrant demonstrations in Berlin, Paris and Madrid have each drawn over 100,000 participants in recent months. The newly formed European Unity Alliance – a coalition of progressive parties across 12 countries – has gained surprising traction with its platform emphasizing humanitarian approaches to migration.
“This is a pendulum moment in European history,” suggests political scientist Yasmin Ahmed of Oxford University. “The question isn’t whether Europe will permanently embrace anti-immigrant politics, but how deeply these policies will become entrenched before the inevitable correction begins.”
For migrants themselves, the situation grows increasingly precarious. Applications for asylum have dropped 43% this year – not because fewer people need protection, but because European borders have become nearly impenetrable.
At a makeshift camp outside Serbia’s border with Hungary, I met Mahmoud, a Syrian engineer who has attempted to enter the EU seven times. “Europe talks about human rights, but those rights don’t apply to people like me,” he told me. “I just want to work and live in peace. Is that too much to ask?”
As Europe continues this rightward shift, the continent faces fundamental questions about its identity and values. The answers will determine not just immigration policy, but the very nature of European democracy in the decades to come.
