The United States and Europe have each been conducting a similar conversation about the future of their politics and societies.
- European nationalist factions face growing friction and distance from American political strategies amid shifting electoral tides.
- Progressive leaders in the Americas and Europe are mobilizing around platforms focused on housing, health care, and international cooperation.
Eleven years ago, Donald Trump descended an escalator to launch a political movement that mirrored the language and animus of the European far right. He viewed the 2016 British vote for Brexit as a validation of his own rise, while his 2024 presidential victory energized right-wing nationalists across the Atlantic, The New Yorker reported.
By early 2025, Spain’s Vox party hosted European ultranationalists under the banner of “Make Europe Great Again.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared at the gathering, “Yesterday, we were the heretics; today, we’re mainstream.”
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“It included some factions that either were already in power or seemed on the precipice of winning it,” the Vox party gathering included, told The New Yorker.
Orbán was defeated earlier this year by a Hungarian opposition committed to dismantling his illiberal legacy.
European right-wing leaders have begun distancing themselves from the American political brand due to its unpopularity abroad. Figures like Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and France’s Marine Le Pen have sought to protect their nationalist ambitions from the gravitational pull of American politics.
Despite this distance, far-right momentum persists in parts of Europe. Germany’s Alternative for Germany party remains the largest opposition force in the Bundestag and continues to gain ground against traditional coalition parties.
In France, lingering economic strain and social unrest could propel Le Pen’s party toward power next spring. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom faces local elections next year where the Labour Party risks major losses as economic challenges continue.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces right-wing momentum in a snap election following years of leadership and recent corruption scandals within his inner circle. Inspired by recent congressional gains by the Democratic Party in the United States and the victory of Brazil’s leftist president, Sánchez and his allies are banking on progressive reforms.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares outlined a vision centered on dialogue, cooperation, and adherence to international law during a phone call.
“puts forward dialogue and coöperation,” and “respect for international law.”
said José Manuel Albares, Spain’s foreign minister, describing his worldview to The New Yorker.
Albares said that victorious progressives in the United States and Brazil focused heavily on economic inequality and public hardship. He emphasized that these movements promote inclusion rather than scapegoating migrants.
| Region / Country | Key Political Movement | Recent Electoral Trend |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Democratic Progressivism | Significant congressional gains focused on economic equity |
| Hungary | Opposition Coalition | Defeated long-serving nationalist incumbent earlier this year |
| Germany | Alternative for Germany (AfD) | Growing state-level presence as largest opposition in Bundestag |
“The winners are people that really think that there is a place for everybody in the society, and that everyone needs equal opportunities.”
Albares told The New Yorker.
