Point of Access: The Influcence of Radical Right Parties on Policy Implementation in German Municipalitites

In elections throughout established democracies, evidence suggests a rise in the number and participation of radical right political parties in electoral politics. With the entrance of these parties into sometimes national, regional and community government, questions regarding the influence on public policies become salient. The expectation that radical right parties would focus attention on immigration is reasonable. However, policy issues regarding refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants naturally include policies regarding housing, income supports, education etc. Policies made at the national level are often the responsibilities of lower units of government for implementation. This Paper argues that it is at the unit of government where implementation of policy occurs that radical right politicians and party members are most able to influence public policy. It is in the implementation phase that lower units of government have the most control over the allocation of resources, including those specific to refugee and asylum populations. This Paper examines public policy implementation by municipalities in Germany where radical right parties may have more electoral success. Theorizing that radical right political parties and politicians as protest push more centrist parties to adopt/co-opt more radical right policy positions, this Paper will argue that it is in the implementation process that radical right parties have the most influence in policy outcomes.