far-right parties

Jordan Bardella, president of France's far-right National Rally party, has publicly rejected a media report alleging he made antisemitic remarks. The denial, carried by Reuters, places the National Rally leader at the centre of a fresh controversy over racism and extremism in French politics, with the party historically sensitive to accusations of antisemitism as it seeks mainstream credibility.

Swiss voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to tighten the country's neutrality, with final government results showing more than 70% opposed and a majority against in all 26 cantons. The initiative was championed by a right-wing populist party and would have hardened rules on Swiss neutrality, an issue sharpened by the war in Ukraine and debates over sanctions on Russia.

France's far-right National Rally made gains in the country's Senate elections, marking a further advance for the party in national institutions. The result underlines the continued rise of Marine Le Pen's movement, which has already made significant inroads in the National Assembly and European elections, and is being closely watched for what it signals ahead of future national contests.

France's far right has achieved a historic victory in elections to the French Senate, a result with no precedent in the chamber's history. The win marks a significant breakthrough for the nationalist right in an institution long dominated by mainstream conservative and centre-left groups, and is being closely watched for what it signals about the party's growing national strength.