How Europe’s radical right could hijack EU enlargement

EURACTIV published an article titled “How Europe’s radical right could hijack EU enlargement”, co-authored by Dr. Ioannis Armakolas (Head of the South-East Europe Programme – ELIAMEP and Director of the initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration) and Ioannis Alexandris (Research Fellow at the South-East Europe Programme – ELIAMEP and Research Associate of the initiative initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration), within the framework of the initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration. The article, based on the recent policy brief of the two experts titled “From Migration Fears to Missed Opportunities: The Cost of Politicising EU Enlargement”, explores how the growing strength of radical right and Eurosceptic parties across the EU could jeopardise Brussels’ enlargement agenda. Drawing on political developments in member states such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria, the authors examine the implications for candidate countries in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova.

The piece highlights how once-isolated far-right parties are entering government coalitions and shifting national policies, particularly on migration and EU integration. Parties like Germany’s AfD and Austria’s FPÖ frame enlargement as a threat to sovereignty and social cohesion, despite evidence of its economic benefits. With public opinion becoming more sceptical and referenda looming in some countries, the path to enlargement is increasingly vulnerable to domestic politics.

The authors argue that the danger lies in letting radical right forces control the enlargement narrative. Under unanimity rules, a single hostile government can block progress, making electoral outcomes in key member states critical. To defend enlargement, pro-EU actors must engage broader publics and reframe the debate around shared security, prosperity, and long-term strategic interest.

You can read the article here.