How Europe's surging populist right is reshaping the political establishment

Updated on: October 19, 2026 / 12:26 PM EDT / CBS News

How Europe's surging populist right is reshaping the political establishment

TL;DR

  • Right-wing populist parties are gaining significant traction across Europe, challenging established conservative parties.
  • Reform UK in Britain, AfD in Germany, and National Rally in France are examples of these surging movements.
  • Established conservative parties are being forced to choose between adopting harder-line positions on immigration and national identity or losing voters to populist rivals.
  • The shift in political debate, moving from economic issues to identity and nationalism, is a key factor in the rise of these parties.
  • In Germany, the AfD is challenging the traditional center-right, while in France, Marine Le Pen's National Rally has surpassed the traditional right.
  • Britain's Conservative Party is fighting for survival after electoral defeat, with Reform UK capitalizing on anger over immigration.