Europe's Far-Right Parties Navigate Trump's Influence

The far-right AfD in Germany is actively seeking a nationalist resurgence in Europe, aligning itself with Trump's MAGA movement. Markus Frohnmaier, the party's foreign policy spokesperson, announced plans to meet with MAGA Republicans in the US this week. The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance, is forming alliances with groups that promote national sovereignty and strict immigration policies. Meanwhile, other European nationalist parties are treading carefully. While they share some views with Trump, they are wary of his unpopularity in Europe. Many Europeans, including far-right voters, see Trump as a threat to the EU and prefer a stronger European bloc. Trump's recent national security strategy document has sparked controversy. It claims that Europe is facing cultural collapse due to migration and EU integration. The document also accuses the EU of undermining political liberty and sovereignty. Trump has described Europe as "weak" and "decaying, " blaming immigration for its problems. Far-right parties like the AfD, France's National Rally, and Spain's Vox have built their campaigns around opposition to EU overreach and non-EU migration. Some have echoed the "great replacement" conspiracy theory, which claims that migration is leading to a demographic shift in Europe. The AfD has been particularly active in seeking ties with Trump's movement. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican congresswoman, recently hosted about 40 AfD politicians in the US. The AfD's co-leader, Tino Chrupalla, attended Trump's second inauguration, and tech billionaire Elon Musk campaigned for AfD candidate Alice Weidel. However, other nationalist parties are more cautious. France's National Rally leader, Jordan Bardella, has criticized Trump's influence in Europe. He stated that while mass immigration is a problem, he does not need Trump to decide the fate of his country. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has post-fascist roots, has also been cautious, stating that she sees "no cracks" in the transatlantic relationship. Hungary's foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, has mentioned working on a "patriotic revolution" to make Europe great again, but Hungary's government has refrained from direct comment on the new US strategy.