Seminar on Populism & Political Parties in Europe

Organisers: FEPS together with the Centro per la Riforma dello Stato and Fondazione Italianieuropei   […]
Speakers

06/07/2012
00:00:00 - 00:00:00
Fondazione Italianieuropei, Piazza Farnese, Rome
Seminar on Populism & Political Parties in Europe
55908
41-seminar-on-populism-political-parties-in-europe
0

In order to give you access to our events, FEPS processes your personal data together with any other organiser of this event mentioned in the description of the event and in accordance with 'FEPS’ data protection policy.

Organisers: FEPS together with the Centro per la Riforma dello Stato and Fondazione Italianieuropei

 

Over the last decade, common features to democracies across Europe have been on the one hand the crisis of mainstream political parties, which supposedly have become incapable of performing their traditional role of representatives of people’s general interests, expectations and demands, and thus suffer of a deficit of legitimacy. And, on the other hand, the growth and proliferation of grass-root, “populist” parties and movements. The latter have been giving voice to opposition to immigration, multiculturalism, globalization, to concerns for the preservation of national, regional or ethnical identity and culture, and to a general discontent with the current political, economic and social order.

 

While it is difficult to offer a comprehensive definition of what populism is and to fit populist parties and movements into the traditional political divide between right and left, it is possible to identify some common traits, such as their anti-establishment rhetoric, their simplistic and emotional discourse, their hostility to elites in general and politicians in particular, their exaltation of the will, values and wisdom of the common man, the rejection of any constraints on popular sovereignty, the idea that change can occur only through a radical replacement of a (corrupt) ruling class, increasingly separated from the daily lives of ordinary people.

 

In a context in which the “European model” based on social rights, inclusion, welfare state seems to be constantly under attack, the democratic institutions appear to be powerless in governing economic and social events and the European Union is perceived mainly as an agent of enforced stability, populist movements will increasingly represent a challenge to the established political parties and system.

 

Against this background, the aim of the seminar, organized by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, the Fondazione Italianieuropei and the Centro per la Riforma dello Stato, is to involve scholars and politicians into a debate on the implications of the emergence of these movements in the European political scenario, and for the evolution of democracy.

The seminar will be organized around two sessions. The first one focusing on the development of the European party system and on the role of political parties today. The second one on the main features of grass-root movements, pirates, populist groups etc. across Europe and their challenge to established political parties.

 

Programme

10.00 Panel 1: Political parties in Europe

Introductory remarks:
Massimo D’Alema, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies and the Fondazione Italianieuropei

10.20 Debate

13.00 Lunch

 

14.30 Panel 2: Populist movements in Europe

Introductory remarks:
Mario Tronti, President, Centro per la Riforma dello Stato

14.50 Debate

17.30 End of works

Find all related publications
Publications
26/06/2025

Strengthening and maintaining Just Transition goals in the EU Budget

The EU’s legally binding commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 demands a far-reaching socio-economic […]
24/06/2025

Serbia’s civic awakening: the 2024-2025 student protests in focus

Friends of the Western Balkans series
23/06/2025

Europe’s strategic role in global development

A call for ambition and reform
17/06/2025

Lessons learned from the Recovery and Resilience Facility for a future European fiscal capacity

The creation of the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) as a response to the pandemic […]
Find all related news
News
18/07/2025

A European Commission against the Social Contract

FEPS commentary on the MMF 2028-2034
16/05/2025

Joint statement by the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB)

Ljubljana, 16th May 2025 We, the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) – representatives of […]
25/04/2025

Call for tender – Editorial services for FEPS recurrent flagship publications

This call for tender is now closed
13/03/2025

Europe’s defence strategy must be peace-oriented

FEPS Position Paper on European defence
Find all related in the media
In the media

Hungary, EU Funds, and the Rule of Law: What’s at Stake?

by Euractiv 16/07/2025
Euractiv's Christoph Schwaiger speaks with FEPS Secretary General László Andor on Hungary’s complex relationship with EU cohesion funds.

Ласло Андор: България не губи нищо от присъединяването си към еврозоната

by BNR 15/07/2025
"Bulgaria has nothing to lose by joining the eurozone” Interview with FEPS Secretary General László Andor on Bulgarian National Radio, where he explains that Bulgaria has already borne the costs of financial stability and will benefit from eurozone accession.

US continues arms deliveries to Ukraine – for how long?

by Euronews 12/07/2025
FEPS Director Ania Skrzypek spoke on Euronews' "Brussels, My Love" on support for Ukraine, enlargement and conscription of women.

En Europe, les partis sociaux-démocrates se sont contentés d’une approche technocratique

by Le Point 04/07/2025
“In Europe, social democratic parties have relied too heavily on a technocratic approach” Interview with FEPS Secretary General László Andor in Le Point (FR), reflecting on the decline of social democracy in Europe and the need to renew its political vision in the face of nationalist challenges.