List Of Active Nationalist Parties In Europe
Nationalist parties in Europe have been on the rise since the early 2010s due to, according to some, austerity measures and immigration.
Analyses
Linguist Ruth Wodak has stated that the populist parties rising across Europe do so for different reasons in different countries. In an article published in March 2014, she divided these political parties into four groups: "parties [which] gain support via an ambivalent relationship with fascist and Nazi pasts" (in, e.g., Austria, Hungary, Italy, Romania, and France), parties which "focus primarily on a perceived threat from Islam" (in, e.g., the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland), parties which "restrict their propaganda to a perceived threat to their national identities from ethnic minorities" (in, e.g., Hungary, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom), and parties which "endorse a fundamentalist Christian conservative-reactionary agenda" (in, e.g., Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria). According to The Economist, the main attraction of far-right parties in the Scandinavian countries is the perception that their national culture is under threat.
Different parts of Europe have nationalist parties with various ideologies and goals. Most nationalist parties in Central and Western Europe are described as "right-wing populists". According to Thomas Klau of the European Council on Foreign Relations "as antisemitism was a unifying factor for far-right parties in the 1910s, 20s and 30s, Islamophobia has become the unifying factor in the early decades of the 21st century." At the other side, there are non-rightist nationalist forces, many of them are leftist, civic or big-tent parties, which often advocate regionalism.
Overview
There are several nationalist political parties of all kinds in Europe, with different cases among the countries.
In Cyprus, because of the complicated situation on the island nation, most of the political forces are described as nationalist but on a different perspective each: leftist-nationalist AKEL supports Cypriotism, social-democratic EDEK, green KOSP and centrist DIKO are Greek-Cypriot nationalist, while national-populist ELAM supports Hellenic nationalism and union with Hellas.
In Belarus (Belaya Rus) and in Azerbaijan (New Azerbaijan Party), the dominant ruling parties are also big-tent nationalist, while in Russia both the ruling big-tent party (United Russia) and the main opposition parties (leftist Commnist Party and far-right LDPR) are nationalist. In Turkey, almost all the political parties, from centre-left kemalists to the far-right, are nationalist, including the government parties (conservative AKP, far-right MHP) and the main opposition (kemalist CHP, civic nationalist İYİ).
Right-wing or far-right nationalist parties are the biggest party in Switzerland (Swiss People's Party) and the ruling party in Italy (Brothers of Italy, Lega), in Hungary (Fidesz) and in Poland (United Right), part of the government in Finland (Finns Party) , while in Sweden (Swedish Democrats) and in Serbia (United Serbia) they support the government. Also, in North Macedonia, nationalist VMRO-DPMNE is one of the two major parties in the country.
In the UK, Scotland's government is ruled by SNP, a catch-all and mostly social-democratic nationalist party that supports Scottish independence. In Spain, the centre-left government is supported by leftist nationalist ERC (Catalonia) and EH-Bildu (Basque) that seeking Catalan and Basque independence prospectively and also by the centrist nationalist and pro-Basque-independence BNP. In Norway (civic nationalist Centre Party) and in Cyprus (centrist DIKO, social-democratic EDEK), non-rightist nationalist parties are coalition partners on the governments. Also in Moldova, leftist nationalist PSRM is one of the two major political forces.
In all other countries, nationalist parties are in opposition. In some countries, opposition nationalist parties are major or significant players in politics, such as France's National Rally and La France Insoumise, Germany's AfD, Spain's Vox, Hellas' Hellenic Solution, Serbia's Oathkeepers and Dveri, Portugal's Chega, Netherlands' PVV and Forum for Democracy, Catalonia's (Esp) Junts and CUP, Ukraine's Batkivshchyna and Svoboda, Estonia's Conservative People's Party, Austria's Freedom Party, Bulgaria's Revival, Flanders' (Bel) Vlaams Belang and New Flemish Alliance, Hungary's Jobbik and Our Homeland Movement, Czechia's SPD, Norway's Progress Party, Armenia's Revolutionary Federation, Wales' (UK) Plaid Cymru, Sprska's (B&H) Alliance of Independents Social Democrats, Slovakia's National Party, Republika and Smer, Slovenia's SDS, Cyprus' AKEL and ELAM, Denmark's People's Party, Ireland's Sinn Fein, Moldova's Şor, Croatia's Homeland Movement, Luxembourg's Alternative Democratic Reform, Bosnia's Party of Democratic Action etc. In the United Kingdom, there is UK Independence Party, as a minor political player.
Separatist/regionalist nationalist parties with strong influence in the whole countries' politics are mentioned above, are ERC, Junts and CUP from Catalonia, Lega from Northern Italy, SNP from Scotland, Vlaams Belang and New Flemish Alliance from Flanders, Alliance of Independents Social Democrats from Sprska and Plaid Cymru from Wales. Also, there are some separatist nationalist parties with strong -or even majority- influence at local councils: Basqonian Geroa Bai from Navarre, Pe a Corsica from Corsica, Croatian Democratic Union from Croat-speaking Bosnia and Galician Nationalist Bloc from Galicia.
There are some cases, like Hellas's Golden Dawn, Slovakia's L'SNS, Croatia's Party of Rights or Germany's NPD, in which parties with significant role on the politics were ultra-nationalist and described as neonazist. Today, NPD is a minor extra-parliamentary party in Germany, Golden Dawn has eclipsed and condemned by the Hellenic Supreme Court as a criminal organization, Party of Rights is also almost eclipsed in Croatia, while L'SNS is still a parliamentary active political force in Slovakia. In Turkey, the government coalition partner MHP is considered ultra-conservative and neo-fascist, with links to the racist organization "Grey Wolves". In Italy, governing Brothers of Italy has post-fascist roots, while some years earlier the political parties MSI and its successor National Alliance (neo-fascist and post-fascist prospectively) were major political forces. In Hellas, the parliamentary political party of Spartans, though not neonazi/neofascist itself, entered the Parliament because of the endorsement of National Party - Hellenes and its leader Ilias Kasidhiaris, an ex-leading member of the neonazi Golden Dawn. Also, parties like Ukraine's Svoboda or Russia's LDPR have described as alleged with neonazism and neofascism.
Recent developments
Estonian General election, March 2019
The Conservative People's Party of Estonia is an Estonian far-right political party, founded in 2012. During the 2019 Estonian parliamentary election it had the largest gain overall of all parties, increasing their seat count by 12 to a total of 19 seats. Its public support is on the rise, according to opinion polls.
Spanish General election, November 2019
Vox is a Spanish right-wing to far-right political party, founded in 2012. It obtained, by surprise, 24 seats in the Spanish parliament in the April 2019 election. In the November 2019 election Vox obtained 52 seats (an increase) from what it got in early 2019. The president of Vox is Santiago Abascal and its general secretary is Javier Ortega Smith. Its public support is on the rise, according to results of subsequent regional elections, and opinion polls.
Hungarian Parliamentary Elections, 3 April 2022
Hungary held its General Parliamentary Elections on 3 April 2022, where 199 seats in the National Assembly of Hungary were filled. Two nationalist parties, emerged with seats in the new Assembly, with the new Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, being from the Fidesz-Christian Democratic People's Party. His party gained 135 seats, while the Our Homeland Movement gained 7 seats. This put 142 out of 199 seats in the Hungarian National Assembly under the control of nationalist parties..
Swedish General Elections, 11 September 2022
Sweden held its 2022 Swedish general election on 11 September 2022, where 349 seats in the Riksdag were filled. Sweden Democrats Sweden's far-right political party made gains winning 73 seats and becoming the 2nd largest party in Sweden with 20.07%. After the election Sweden Democrats joined the government.
They had two minor nationalist party's also ran Alternative for Sweden and Swedish Resistance Movement however they got a small % of the vote.
Italian General Elections, 25 September 2022
Italy held its General Elections on 25 September 2022, where 400 Deputies were elected to the Lower House and 200 Senators to the Upper House of the Italian Parliament. Italy's largest far-right party, the Lega Nord or "League" secured 125 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (Lower House) and 58 seats in the Senate (Upper House). The Brothers of Italy, another nationalist party, gained 32 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 18 seats in the Senate.
Observers commented that the results shifted the geopolitics of the European Union, following far-right gains in France, Spain, and Sweden. It was also noted that the election outcome would mark Italy's first far-right-led government and the country's most right-wing government since 1945.
Finnish General Elections, 2 April 2023
Finland held its General Elections, 2 April 2023, where 200 seats in the Eduskunta were elected to the Lower House. Finland's largest far-right party, the Finns Party secured 46 seats in the parliament, it was the second largest party with 20.07% of the vote.
They had two minor party's also ran Blue-and-Black Movement and Finnish People First but they got a small % of the votes.
Hellenic election, 2023
On the Hellenic Parliamentary elections in June 2023, far-right nationalist party Spartans entered the Parliament gaining 12/300 MP seats and around 4.5% of the popular vote. Two parties often described by some as nationalist also entered the Parliament: national-conservative Hellenic Solution gained 12/300 seats and around 4.5% of the popular vote, while christian-nationalist party Victory gained 10/300 sets with popular vote around 3.5%. Finally, Course of Freedom, an anti-establishment party which is described by some as left-wing nationalist, gained 3% of the popular vote and 8/300 seats. Totally, there are 12/300 (4%) seats belonging to a clearly far-right nationalist party, while by adding the seats of parties that sometimes described as nationalist, a total number of 42/300 (14%) of the Parliament MPs.
Prior to the election, there was an increasing coiling around National Party – Hellenes and its leader Ilias Kasidhiaris. Kasidhiaris, a former leading member of neonazi Golden Dawn party, tried to present a party with modern nationalist far-right profile, managing to reach around 5% in 2023 polls. Finally, a law that exclude political parties connected to individuals sentenced as part of criminal organizations (Kasidhiaris is sentenced as leading person of Golden Dawn and serves his sentence on prison), did not allow at the party to take part on the election. Kasidiaris and his party, endorsed Spartans party, so it managed to enter the Parliament.
List
- the governing party
- giving parliamentary support
National
Disputed
| Party | Country | Date established | % of popular vote (legislature) | Votes (legislature) | Seats | Ideology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peace to Luhansk region |  Luhansk People's Republic | 2014 | 74.12% (2018) | 37 / 50 | Russian nationalism, Luhansk separatism | |
| Donetsk Republic |  Donetsk People's Republic | 2005 | 72.38% (2018) | 74 / 100 | Russian nationalism, Donbass separatism | |
| Unity Party |  South Ossetia | 2003 | 46.3% (2009) | 21,246 | 17 / 34 | Ossetia |
| Free Motherland |  Artsakh | 2005 | 44.2% (2010) | 29,252 | 14 / 33 | Armenian nationalism, United Armenia |
| National Unity Party |   Northern Cyprus | 1975 | 44.1% (2009) | 622,804 | 27 / 50 | Turkish nationalism |
| Vetëvendosje |  Kosovo | 2005 | 26.27% (2019) | 221,001 | 29 / 120 | Albanian Nationalism & Greater Albania |
| Renewal |  Pridnestrovia | 2000 | % (2010) | 75,800 | 25 / 43 | Centrism, Russian Nationalism |
| United Abkhazia |  Abkhazia | 2004 | % (2012) | 3 / 35 | Republicanism |
Regional
| Party | Country | Date established | % of popular vote (legislature) | Votes (legislature) | Seats | Ideology | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basque National Party |   Basque Autonomous Community | 1895 | 37.4% (2016) | 398,168 | 28 / 75 | Basque nationalism | |
| Geroa Bai (Basque National Party + other minor parties) |  Navarre | 2011 | 15.8% (2015) | 53,497 | 9 / 50 | Basque nationalism | |
| EH Bildu | Basque Autonomous Community | 2011 | 21.1% (2016) 14.2% (2015) | 225,172 48,166 | 18 / 75 8 / 50 | Basque nationalism | |
| Alliance of Independent Social Democrats |   Republika Srpska | 1996 | 34.6% (2022) | 221,554 | 29 / 83 | Serbian nationalism | |
| Together for Catalonia |  Catalonia | 2017 | 21.6% (2017) | 940,602 | 34 / 135 | Catalan independence Liberalism | |
| Republican Left of Catalonia–Catalonia Yes | Catalonia | 2017 | 21.4% (2017) | 929,407 | 32 / 135 | Catalan independence Social democracy | |
| Popular Unity Candidacy | Catalonia | 2017 | 8.2% (2017) | 193,352 | 4 / 135 | Catalan independence Anti-capitalism | |
| Pè a Corsica |   Corsica | 2002 | 45.4% (2017) (54.5% in second round) | 54,212 (67,253 in second round) | 32 / 63 | Corsican nationalism | |
| New Flemish Alliance |   Flanders | 2001 | 24.83% (2019) | 1,052,252 | 35 / 124 | Flemish nationalism Regionalism Separatism Conservatism Liberal conservatism Republicanism | |
| Flemish Interest | Flanders | 2004 | 18.50% (2019) | 783,977 | 23 / 124 | Flemish nationalism Right-wing populism Separatism National conservatism Euroscepticism Republicanism | ID |
| Martinican Independence Movement | Martinique | 2002 | 30.3% (2015) (54.1% in second round) | 36,523 (83,541 in second round) | 33 / 51 | Martinican nationalism | |
| Scottish National Party |   Scotland | 1934 | 44.1% (2016) (Constituency vote: 46.5%) (Regional vote: 41.7%) | 2,013,484 (Constituency vote: 1,059,897) (Regional vote: 953,587) | 63 / 129 | Scottish independence Scottish nationalism Regionalism | |
| Plaid Cymru |  Wales | 1925 | 20.7% (2016) (Constituency vote: 20.5%) (Regional vote: 20.8%) | 420,924 (Constituency vote: 209,376) (Regional vote: 211,548) | 12 / 60 | Welsh nationalism Welsh independence Civil nationalism Regionalism | |
| Sinn Féin | Northern Ireland | 1905 | 27.9% (2016) | 224,245 | 27 / 90 | Irish republicanism, | |
| Party of Democratic Action |  Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1990 | 24.4% (2022) | 238,111 | 26 / 98 | Bosniak nationalism | |
| Croatian Democratic Union | Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1990 | 13.3% (2022) | 130,567 | 15 / 98 | Croatian nationalism | |
| Galician Nationalist Bloc |  Galicia | 1982 | 23.79% (2020) | 311,340 | 19 / 75 | Galician nationalism | |
| Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians |   Vojvodina | 1994 | 9.29% (2020) | 75,218 | 11 / 120 | Hungarian nationalism |
European political parties with mainly nationalist parties
Ultra-nationalist, neo-fascist
- Alliance for Peace and Freedom (2014–present)
- European National Front (2004–2009)
National-conservative
- European Conservatives and Reformists Party (2009–present)
- Identity and Democracy Party (2014–present)
- Movement for a Europe of Liberties and Democracy (2011-2015)
- Alliance of Independent Democrats in Europe (2005-2008)
- Alliance for Europe of the Nations (2002-2009)
Separatist/Regionalist
- European Free Alliance (1981–present)
There are not europarties with left-wing or civic nationalist ideology, though there are individual national parties.
References
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