Unrest in Europe is becoming a political tool for the far right, The Guardian analysis: An authoritarian anti-immigration agenda is being pursued

A wave of violent protests and unrest that has recently swept several European countries, including France, Italy and Germany, fueled by the rising cost of living, higher fuel prices and inflation, is being used by far-right groups as a platform to expand their political influence and increase electoral support.

Far-right forces are instrumentalizing the violence that erupted during the protests to advance an authoritarian vision centered on opposition to immigration.

Nationalist leaders are portraying the chaos in the streets as evidence of the failure of liberal governance and open-border policies, positioning themselves as the only force capable of restoring law and security. With important elections approaching in Spain, France and Italy, these authoritarian movements are seeking to capitalize fully on the instability.

In France, mass protests and anger over fuel prices have significantly strengthened the position of nationalist and far-right forces, while the authorities have stepped up security measures and even called in the army to keep the situation under control.

In Germany, too, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has made significant gains in several regions, while also provoking widespread counterprotests in defense of democracy.

Meanwhile, in Italy, the government led by Giorgia Meloni has put discussions on the table over new security measures and the deployment of additional forces to deal with clashes and unrest in northern cities such as Milan and Bologna, where populist and right-wing groups are forcefully demanding the restoration of order.