Next Left country case studies

Exploring the state of Social Democracy in France, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Italy and Australia

Book

16/12/2024

The Next Left Country Case Studies is a new publication series and an outcome of the work within the Next Left Research Programme geared by FEPS and Karl Renner Institut. The series, commissioned to provide an insight into the Social Democratic parties in Europe and beyond, focuses on exploring the current state of Social Democracy in selected countries. Each publication guides the reader through the transformation of national political party systems and parties’ internal organisation, highlighting the authors’ takes on their future prospects. The series’ insightful analysis of domestic political contexts, exploring the often turbulent political history of Social Democratic parties, enables a full immersion into specific political programmes and policies, while simultaneously providing a canvas for sharing the best practices for the Social Democratic movement to move forward on a global scale

The Next Left Country Case Studies have focused on Finland, France, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Italy, and Australia. Upcoming case studies include Ireland, Finland and Canada – stay tuned!

🇫🇮 Social democracy in Finland: A great moving forward show? (2025)

By Ania Skrzypek, Antti Alaja and Johan Wahlsten

The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) has re-emerged as a key force in Finnish politics, regaining momentum after years of decline. Holding a centre-left government from 2019 to 2023, the party took a more progressive stance before moving towards the political centre under the new leader Antti Lindtman just recently. Rebouncing from mounting discontent with austerity and the erosion of labour rights under the conservative regime, the SDP is again gaining support. Today’s biggest challenge is cross-generational and cross-demographic reconciliation—maintaining loyalty among traditional working-class backing while re-winning the young, city-dwelling Finnish voter. One of Europe’s few remaining social democratic parties with broad support among less-educated workers, the SDP has a moment of reckoning: to renew its vision and reclaim itself as a champion of Finland’s economic and social future.

🇫🇷 Perspectives on the French Parti Socialiste’s downfall (2023)

By Philippe Marlière

The French Socialist Party, having suffered crushing defeats in the presidential elections of 2017 and 2022, has lost its status as the main opposition party. With the French political scene currently plagued by populist stances, and the Parti Socialiste now being a shadow of its former self, this study explores the party’s turbulent history since its formation to its present state of constantly fleeing electorate. From covering internal divisions inside of the PS, as well as NUPES (left-wing parties’ electoral alliance), PS’ troubles with accepting the reformist stances of the European Social Democratic family are explored, not shying away from diving into the many paradoxes within the French socialist identity. This read remains as a powerful lesson for all Social Democratic sympathisers, simultaneously outlining the split between the party’s ideological core and its’ public perception of a party of elected officials. Read more.

The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), having been founded in 1889, is currently one of the major parties and a backbone of the country’s political scene. With Austria’s political system, in recent years, moving away from its tradition of unwavering consensus building, the SPÖ holds on strongly to its ambition of a united left, drawing on the Austro-Marxist tradition and a strong anti-fascist core, especially amidst the rise of neo-nationalism. From exploring the SPÖ’s history (internal and external) to walking the reader through Vienna’s Social Democratic policies setting a global example for the left, this study explores SPÖ’s ways of responding to an electoral backlash and transforming existing political antagonisms. Simultaneously, the publication provides a deep dive into the most heated topics in Austrian politics (e.g. migration and asylum) and SPÖ’s policy transformations aimed at not yielding the political narrative to the far-right. Read more.

The Romanian Social Democratic Party (PSD) has proved its resilience many times to the country’s political system being strongly unbalanced to the right. Currently being the largest force in the Romanian Parliament, as well as the biggest delegation, from the Central Eastern European region, in the European Parliament, the PSD is preparing for a quadruple election round in 2024 (local, national, presidential, and European), with the prospect of advancing on its electoral weight within the European family, and shaping the semi-presidential system in a Progressive manner. Having ingrained intra-membership solidarity into the party’s ethos, PSD is constantly proving how grassroots organising and informal practices can translate into high electoral scores, skilfully dealing with the still very much present, in Romanian post-communist collective memory, rhetoric against Social Democracy. Read more.

🇳🇱 Social democracy in the Netherlands (2024)

By Hans Keman

This volume, authored by Hans Keman, offers a comprehensive analysis of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA), delving into its historical foundations, policy challenges, and recent electoral trends.

Keman explores the PvdA’s evolving role in Dutch politics, its strategic alliances, and the hurdles it faces in an increasingly fragmented political landscape. By providing a “systemic” overview of the PvdA’s trajectory over the past 35 years, this study traces the key developments shaping its political journey. Read more.

The latest volume by Eleonora Poli, offers a compelling history of Italy’s Partito Democratico (PD). Poli examines its transformation from communist roots to a modern, progressive force, navigating dramatic turning points and addressing pressing issues such as poverty, labor reform, and climate change. Her analysis extends beyond Italy, posing hypotheses on the challenges progressive parties face in adapting to globalization and inequality.

With lessons on rebuilding trust and crafting ambitious, values-driven agendas, this volume encapsulates 30 years of evolution while offering hope for the revival of social democracy. Read more.

🇦🇺 A new labourism: Down Under (2023)

By Rob Manwaring

The Australian Labor Party (ALP), having been the first national Labour-led government in the world, has only managed to rise up from the opposition benches three times since the 1950s due to one of the most right-leaning political party systems, with the last time being in 2022 under Anthony Albanese’s leadership. With the ALP in government, now tackling structural and institutional issues long ignored by the Coalition governments, but still operating in a political and cultural setting controlled by the centre-right, Albanese’s government is proving to deliver progressivism on both social and economic issues, locally and nationally. From battling declining union density to delivering on the recruitment of gender balanced MPs, Albanese’s new labourism skillfully operates in a once rigid party system that has been experiencing structural changes with the rise of independent candidatesRead more.

Network
Karl Renner Institut
Find all related publications
Publications
11/06/2025

Social Democracy with(out) people

Possible strategies for survival and expansion of the Polish left
30/10/2024

Meeting the challenges from the populist right

A study of voter attitudes towards welfare and immigration in Denmark, Germany and Sweden
01/03/2024

Next Left Vol. 15

Progressive Ambition: How to shape Europe in the next decade
04/10/2023

Social democracy without the people – Poland

Case study of the Polish Democratic Left Alliance (SLD)
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
13/06/2025

Investing in leadership is key

Overall, 2024 – the year of elections – left us with immense dissatisfaction. With very […]
06/06/2025

The ideological pursuit of a modern, empowering state

It is a major question why, in so many countries, the demise of 1980s neoliberalism […]
06/06/2025

Returning to freedom: a Social Democracy for pluralist societies

Once again, Social Democracy must change. With a long-standing tradition of social protection, progressives are […]
Find all related events
Events
Past
19/05/2025
Online

Next Left Country Case – Finland

On Monday 19th of May 2025, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in partnership […]
22/04/2025
Brussels, Belgium

Next Left Taskforce

FEPS in partnership with the Karl-Renner-Institut, launched the new cycle of the Next Left project. […]
22/11/2024
Prague, Czech Republic

Social democratic failures and comebacks

Hard lessons to learn, inspiring examples to follow
Find all related in the media
In the media

Sluta tro att SD-männen bara skojar om politiken

by AFTONBLADET 30/05/2023
'Stop thinking that the SD men are just joking about politics. When changes happen, they happen at lightning speed' Ania Skrzypek interviewed in this Swedish article about the Polish case

Polacy nieufni i “wyjątkowi” – “popandemiczne” badanie w UE

by TOK FM 22/05/2023
'Poles distrustful and "exceptional" - "post-pandemic" survey in the EU' TOK FM. Interview with Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training, about the results of FEPS' European survey in six EU countries and the 'uniqueness' of the responses of the Polish people.