The European Commission recently took action to shut down broadcasts from news outlets spreading Russian propaganda, froze assets of Voice of Europe and sanctioned its owner, Viktor Medvedchuk. The move came ahead of European Parliament elections where right-wing parties with ties to Moscow were expected to make gains.
Analysts believe Russia is manipulating far-right parties to undermine EU cohesion, using narratives against Western liberal values. Russian news outlets, along with European-sounding fronts, were implicated in spreading pro-Russian messages.
Central European countries, with Russophilic populations or reliant on Russian energy, have embraced far-right parties. These parties gained traction during crises like the financial crash and refugee influx. Authoritarian, Eurosceptic parties have emerged in countries like Hungary, Poland, and the Netherlands. Austria, historically friendly to Russia, continues to support the far-right FPO party that favors Russian energy imports.
While some EU states have taken steps to counter Russian influence, mainstream conservatives in Austria have maintained ties with the FPO. The upcoming elections may determine whether mainstream parties align with far-right ideologies, shaping the EU’s future direction.\
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