Trump victory energises global far-right, will accelerate anti-democratic trend

The re-election of Donald Trump as president of the United States has set off celebrations among far-right movements around the world, igniting a resurgence of extremist sentiments and nationalist ideologies across continents. Trump’s return to power, marked by his populist and often authoritarian style, is being hailed from the streets of European capitals to nationalist circles in India. As far-right groups worldwide cheer his victory, it signals a powerful boost for nationalist and anti-liberal agendas, particularly in Europe, where leaders and parties now feel emboldened to accelerate their own versions of Trump’s anti-democratic approach.

For Europe, Trump’s political resurgence holds deep and unsettling implications. Over the last decade, right-wing populism has gained momentum, fueled by anti-immigration sentiments, economic challenges, and cultural anxieties. Leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni see Trump’s return as a validation of their nationalist stances and a green light to push further with policies that prioritise national sovereignty over democratic cooperation. Orbán, who has long advocated for an “illiberal democracy” in Hungary, perceives Trump’s victory as a powerful endorsement of governance that disregards liberal democratic norms, restricts immigration and places national interests above all. For Orbán and his allies, Trump’s return signals a shift away...

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