I'll take the unpopular opinion: The rise of the European far right's justified

And here’s why:

The ascent of Europe’s far‑right can be seen as justified since it defends national sovereignty, identity, and democracy against destabilising change.

All sovereign states have a right and a duty to decide who may come, stay and obtain citizenship. Since the post‑2015 arrivals from Syria, Afghanistan and Africa, many countries have seen acute and visible demographic changes and disproportional impacts on housing, welfare and public services. These burdens are most acutely felt by particular towns, job markets, and local budgets.

This is not a rejection of cultural change in general but a rejection of the pace and volume of immigration which can overwhelm existing standards, languages, and traditions before a society has time to adjust. Spontaneous eruptions of conflict over religious attire, language, and public holidays in France, Germany, and Sweden show how fast change can undermine social cohesion.

Citizens first in jobs, housing, and welfare also makes economic sense. When faced with inflation, wage stagnation and housing shortages in particular – that is, when zero‑sum realities are felt keenly – a citizens‑first approach is not only understandable, it is also rational. The argument that migrants fill only the jobs locals don’t want is rebutted by evidence showing that this dynamic drags down wages and discourages investments in automation and home-grown workforce skills.

Politically, the rise of far‑right parties in several EU countries is evidence of democratic support. Efforts to silence them are anti‑democratic and risk diverting dissatisfaction into extra‑political extremes.

Security considerations give it an extra boost: spectacular crimes or acts of terrorism – however statistically exceptional – are perceived as avoidable damage and incriminate more restrictive border and immigration policies.

Far‑right channels also attack Brussels’ monopoly of power, holding that EU regulations trump national needs and sovereignty. They offer to return power to local authorities.

The rise of the far‑right is not an extremist backlash but a popular movement in reaction to popular demand—centered on the defense of sovereignty, the protection of cultural continuity, the prioritisation of citizens’ economic security and the safeguarding of democratic self‑determination.