The Rise of France's National Front

The continued rise in popularity of France's National Front party highlights the way in which the European crisis has empowered nationalist political parties that generally oppose immigration and European integration. Already, the success of the National Front has had a noticeable influence on French politics, and the effects of similar parties elsewhere in Europe have also been notable. In the short run, these parties will compel traditionally moderate parties to increasingly adopt more nationalistic agendas. In the long run, nationalist parties could themselves access power — whether independently or within coalitions — thus completing their efforts to be perceived as acceptable alternatives to Europe's mainstream elites.