DEMARGINALIZATION AND NORMALIZATION OF THE EUROPEAN FAR RIGHT: THE CASE OF THE FRENCH RADICAL RIGHT PARTY «NATIONAL RALLY»

In modern Europe, security issues are among the key factors for the stable functioning of political institutions, both nation-states and the supranational association known as the European Union. The growing popularity of far-right, right-wing political parties that actively shape the political agenda is one of the challenges facing the political systems of an increasing number of European countries. A feature of the current stage of activity of such organizations is the demarginalization and normalization of both their discourse and their participation in the legal political arena. Using the example of one of the largest right-wing radical parties in Europe, the French National Rally, this research reveals some of the mechanisms behind the construction of far-right discourse that have contributed to their success in the political process — particularly in the securitization of migration and issues of national identity. The 2024 program materials, released ahead of the elections to the French Parliament and the European Parliament, provide the empirical basis for analyzing the current discourse of the French National Rally. The study concludes that the transformation of the party’s discourse under Marine Le Pen to normalize its image has led to increased popularity in France and contributed to the broader European trend of demarginalizing right-wing radical forces.