Vicente Valentim argues radical right views have always existed, not increased

In his book "The Normalization of the Radical Right," political scientist Vicente Valentim challenges the common narrative of a rightward shift in Europe. He argues that the prevalence of radical right views has not increased; rather, such attitudes have long been present but are now more openly expressed. Valentim cites a 2007 Portuguese survey where 41% of respondents named dictator António de Oliveira Salazar as the most important Portuguese ever, revealing deep-rooted authoritarian sympathies despite Portugal's democratic transition via the 1974 Carnation Revolution. The book contends that mainstreaming of far-right rhetoric, not a surge in extremism, explains the electoral success of parties like Germany's AfD. Valentim's thesis reframes the debate around normalization rather than radicalization.