The Ignita Initiative supports forward-thinking research on EU integration, and within this framework, think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration presents the new report “The Rise of Radical Right and Eurosceptic Political Forces and the Impact on the EU’s Enlargement Policy”. The report examines the growing influence of radical right and Eurosceptic political forces within the European Union and their implications for EU enlargement policy. While the positions of radical right parties vary, their collective influence introduces complexities into EU decision-making. This report provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers and actors navigating these challenges and shaping the EU’s future trajectory.

The report delves into the recent electoral victories of radical right parties and explores how these parties are reshaping the EU’s political landscape, particularly regarding its enlargement agenda. Key themes include public discontent over immigration, economic disparities, and concerns about national sovereignty, all of which fuel opposition to EU expansion. This shift has placed candidate countries, particularly in the Western Balkans, in a state of uncertainty, as EU accession becomes increasingly entangled with domestic political struggles across member states.