Populist Rhetoric, Rise of Far-Right and the Turkish Case

This article examines the long-term impacts of populist leaders, parties and movements on the stability of democratic regimes in Europe, focusing on Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Italy, and Austria. It highlights how populist narratives, particularly around immigration, have stoked nationalism and far-right ideologies, leading to significant electoral gains for populist parties. These developments raise concerns about the erosion of minority rights, the introduction of volatility into democratic systems, and the mainstreaming of xenophobic rhetoric. The discussion also extends to Türkiye, where mass immigration from Syria since 2011 has fostered similar populist sentiments, exemplified by the rise of Prof. Dr. Ümit Özdağ’s Victory Party in 2021. The article stresses the urgent need for comprehensive academic research on the long-term implications of populist rhetoric for social cohesion and political stability. The lack of such studies, especially in countries with new immigration dynamics like Turkey, represents a significant gap in our understanding of how to address future challenges posed by populist threats.