far right parties

France's far right has made gains in indirect Senate elections, where mayors and local councillors choose half of the upper house's seats. The results point to the National Rally's continued expansion beyond its traditional strongholds. Observers see the vote as another sign of the party's growing normalization and mainstream acceptance in French politics.

A new Israeli election poll shows former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot tied with Benjamin Netanyahu, while far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reaches a record high in support. The figures point to a fluid political landscape ahead of the vote, with the far right gaining strength even as Netanyahu's own standing faces a serious challenge.

Swiss voters have rejected by a large margin a referendum proposal, pushed by the far-right Swiss People's Party, that would have enshrined stricter neutrality into law and limited cooperation with foreign allies. The result means Switzerland will keep its current interpretation of neutrality, which allows sanctions alignment with Western partners and military cooperation. Supporters had argued it would protect Swiss independence, while opponents said it would have isolated the country diplomatically.

France's Rassemblement National has formed a parliamentary group in the Senate for the first time, marking a historic step for Marine Le Pen's far-right party in the upper house of parliament. Reaching the threshold for an official group gives the party greater speaking time, committee seats and institutional legitimacy, and is being read as further evidence of its growing normalisation in French politics.

France's Rassemblement National will form a parliamentary group in the Senate for the first time, having won at least 10 seats in the indirect senatorial elections. The party picked up a seat in Gironde, another in Var, and two in Bouches-du-Rhône. Observers are framing the milestone as a first step toward broader institutional presence for the far right, long marginalised in the upper house.

France's far-right National Rally announced it has secured enough seats to form a group in the Senate for the first time in its history, following the senatorial elections. The breakthrough would give the party greater institutional weight, speaking time and committee positions in the upper house, and marks a new step in its expansion beyond the National Assembly.

Early results from France's Senate elections indicate the far right will form a parliamentary group in the upper house for the first time. Reaching the threshold required for an official group marks a symbolic breakthrough for the party in an institution long dominated by mainstream conservatives, giving it greater speaking time and committee roles.

Commentary argues that Europe's radical right movements draw their strength not simply from ideology but from a widespread feeling of loss — economic, cultural and social — among parts of the population. The piece suggests mainstream politics has failed to address this grievance, allowing far right parties to expand their influence across the continent.

A new Sunday poll in Germany shows the AfD widening its lead over the CDU/CSU, while a majority of respondents expect Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government to end early. The survey adds to pressure on Merz's coalition, with commentators debating whether his chancellorship could collapse ahead of schedule.

Attention is turning to the 2026 French senatorial elections, in which part of the upper house's seats come up for renewal by an electoral college of local officials. The country's indirect vote for the Sénat is being followed for what it may reveal about the balance of power between mainstream parties and the far right ahead of future national contests. Discussion centres on the expected results and composition of the chamber.