European politics is undergoing a long-term process of transformation. The mostly stable, big-tent party systems of past decades have given way to more fragmented landscapes, often-dramatic flux at and between elections, and increasingly powerful populist movements. These trends, in turn, are remaking the contexts in which governments forge their European and foreign policies. To build a stronger Europe, it is vital to understand them better.

Launched in February 2026, the New Politics Project sets out to provide that understanding. Drawing on the full breadth of ECFR’s network, it charts what fragmentation, volatility and populism mean for international policymaking in Europe. Whether on navigating the second Trump era, the future of the EU, relations with Russia, China and other powers, or cross-cutting topics like trade, technology, climate and defence—the NPP explores the significance of the new politics and how to harness it in the European interest.