Euroviews. Could Taylor Swift stop the rise of the far-right in Europe?

As the June European election approaches, anxiety among the continent's leaders is on the rise, and with good reason. 

In Germany, the AfD consistently polls above 20%, and Marine Le Pen's National Rally in France continues to gain momentum — both a continuation of a trend seen in a number of member states.

In what appears to be a desperate last-minute appeal, Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Union, has thrown his support behind the notion of enlisting pop star Taylor Swift to raise awareness about the upcoming election. 

The endorsement comes amid warnings that the parliament may encounter serious governance challenges.

The truth is that the EU is facing a complicated election. The surge in support for far-right parties is often attributed to concerns about migration, with cultural wars now firmly entrenched in mainstream discourse. 

Voters also seem to prioritise the security promises offered by various far-right parties across Europe, with a common playbook emphasising welfare chauvinism and stringent measures against asylum seekers connecting most of these parties.

However, it is crucial to recognise that traditional forces in Europe, particularly mainstream European parties, largely on the centre-right, have flirted with some of these ideological elements for years. This ongoing normalisation of far-right discourse has resulted in a blurring of lines between right-leaning entities.

The question arises: is there an effective way to address the consequences of this normalisation and mitigate the rising far-right threat before the election?

While Brussels is said to be considering mobilising other, European superstars including Rosalía, Måneskin, Dua Lipa, and Stromae to help get the voters to the polls this