Seminar on Populism & Political Parties in Europe

Over the last decade, common features to democracies across Europe have been on the one […]

06/07/2012

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, was 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 was 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

Network
Fondazione Italianieuropei
Find all related publications
Publications
13/02/2025

Transforming housing policy in war-affected ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
13/02/2025

Impoverished motherhood in Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
13/02/2025

In search of the progressive paths to rebuild Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
13/02/2025

Strengthening Ukraine’s health care for a resilient future

Progressive Ukraine series
Find all related news
News
10/02/2025

FEPS joins BlueSky – follow our new account! 

When misinformation and disinformation run rampant, we resist attempts to bully users off certain platforms. […]
07/02/2025

FEPS President on the European car industry and the Competitive Compass on Euronews ‘Brussels, my love?’

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues took part in the Euronews talk show ‘Brussels, my love?‘ […]
29/01/2025

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas awarded FEPS ‘Progressive Person of the Year’

FEPS Progressive Person of the Year 2024-2025
15/01/2025

Launch of the new Open Progressive University’s Ukraine programme!

We have launched the new programme ‘Progressive Ukraine’ in collaboration with S&D Group as part […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

Foundation for European Progressive Studies recommends introduction of minimum tax on capital income in EU

07/02/2025
In its 'Europe Daily Bulletin', the press agency Agence Europe features FEPS’ latest policy study, 'Tackling Tax Avoidance', which underscores the need for a minimum tax on capital income in the EU.

Nedostatak brižnosti

by Vox Feminae 04/02/2025
"Lack of care" The Croatian feminist magazine Vox Feminae highlights the chapter by Annica Kronsell in FEPS book "A new Gender Equality Contract for Europe", which is dedicated to imagining a new gender contract for the climate

Suomi on poikkeuksellisen herkkä menettämään verotuloja muiden maiden verohelpotusten takia

by Helsingin Sanomat 04/02/2025
Discussing the findings from the policy study "Tackling tax avoidance" with Kalevi Sorsa Foundation

Brussels promises to make red tape disappear – Brussels my love

by Euronews 03/02/2025
FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues participated in this episode of Euronews’ show ‘Brussels my love’ on EU car industry, the cost of living, inflation, and public transport.