Beyond Saxony-Anhalt: What Merz’s crisis means for Europe
The far-right AfD’s win in a small German state calls for dynamism in Berlin and hedging in Brussels
Featured
If Marine Le Pen wins: A European guide to a far-right France
A Le Pen-led France would mean major changes to European politics. Here’s how political leaders can begin to prepare
The new climate battle: Five deals to recharge the green transition
As climate policy becomes increasingly contested, Europe must adapt its Green Deal to a new political era. The first policy brief in the New Politics project outlines five new deals to make the transition more durable, popular and politically resilient
Beyond Saxony-Anhalt: What Merz’s crisis means for Europe
The far-right AfD’s win in a small German state calls for dynamism in Berlin and hedging in Brussels
Emergency Room: The AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt
Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Puglierin, senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Berlin office, to discuss the Alternative for Germany (AfD)’s election win in Saxony-Anhalt—and what it means for Germany and Europe
After Tidö: What a centre-left Sweden would change for Europe
Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats is the favourite to become Sweden’s next prime minister, but only after months of hard coalition bargaining. Who she governs with would shape how far her foreign policy shifts
Actually, maybe: How German Angst could become Europe’s nightmare
Germany’s political centre is crumbling—but its leaders appear unable to get ahead of the impending crisis
Political crisis in Germany
Mark Leonard welcomes Jörg Lau and Jana Puglierin to discuss Germany’s deepening political crisis, the rise of the AfD and how the country’s regional elections could impact Europe’s largest democracy
If Marine Le Pen wins: A European guide to a far-right France
A Le Pen-led France would mean major changes to European politics. Here’s how political leaders can begin to prepare
How splits on the right may threaten Poland’s pro-European camp
More than 40 MPs have walked out of Law and Justice, Poland’s largest opposition party, and will court centre-right voters who put Donald Tusk in power in 2023. To win them back, Tusk should make the European argument he has spent years avoiding
Europe’s problem in Italy: How to resist the rise of Roberto Vannacci
Roberto Vannacci’s far-right National Future is four months old and a force to be reckoned with. Italians and Europeans need to recognise the threat he poses to the democratic order
How to think about a Le Pen presidency of France
Le Pen is racing into the French presidential election, even with a fraud conviction hanging over her campaign. Europeans should begin preparing for the rupture her victory could bring
Marine Le Pen’s comeback
Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin and Jeremy Cliffe to discuss Marine Le Pen’s return to the French presidential race
Publications
If Marine Le Pen wins: A European guide to a far-right France
A Le Pen-led France would mean major changes to European politics. Here’s how political leaders can begin to prepare
If Bardella wins: Scenarios for a far-right presidency in France
Jordan Bardella is the frontrunner in the French presidential election next year. His win would transform France’s place in Europe. This scenario shows how
The new climate battle: Five deals to recharge the green transition
As climate policy becomes increasingly contested, Europe must adapt its Green Deal to a new political era. The first policy brief in the New Politics project outlines five new deals to make the transition more durable, popular and politically resilient
The European archipelago: Building bridges in a post-Western Europe
In the second Trump era, Europe urgently needs to secure its autonomy. Leaders must therefore link together different islands of European public opinion to establish strong majorities for action
The new right: Anatomy of a global political revolution
The thinkers and ideas of the rising nationalist right merit the political mainstream’s attention. Only by understanding them can it build a resilient counter-project
Reality show: Why Europe must not cave in Trump’s culture war
In today’s transatlantic relationship, Europe’s every concession on policy plays into Trump’s culture war—feeding an image of European weakness
Rise to the challengers: Europe’s populist parties and its foreign policy future
An array of populist parties are challenging Europe’s foreign policy mainstream. To secure European sovereignty, its politicians need to adapt—which means preparing for a variety of future diplomatic scenarios
Transatlantic twilight: European public opinion and the long shadow of Trump
A new ECFR poll points to Europeans’ widespread (but not universal) reassessment of the transatlantic relationship, and extensive opportunities for the new US president to divide them if they do not work together
Articles
Beyond Saxony-Anhalt: What Merz’s crisis means for Europe
The far-right AfD’s win in a small German state calls for dynamism in Berlin and hedging in Brussels
After Tidö: What a centre-left Sweden would change for Europe
Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats is the favourite to become Sweden’s next prime minister, but only after months of hard coalition bargaining. Who she governs with would shape how far her foreign policy shifts
Actually, maybe: How German Angst could become Europe’s nightmare
Germany’s political centre is crumbling—but its leaders appear unable to get ahead of the impending crisis
How splits on the right may threaten Poland’s pro-European camp
More than 40 MPs have walked out of Law and Justice, Poland’s largest opposition party, and will court centre-right voters who put Donald Tusk in power in 2023. To win them back, Tusk should make the European argument he has spent years avoiding
Europe’s problem in Italy: How to resist the rise of Roberto Vannacci
Roberto Vannacci’s far-right National Future is four months old and a force to be reckoned with. Italians and Europeans need to recognise the threat he poses to the democratic order
How to think about a Le Pen presidency of France
Le Pen is racing into the French presidential election, even with a fraud conviction hanging over her campaign. Europeans should begin preparing for the rupture her victory could bring
Romania’s government collapse is a trap with no easy exit
Ilie Bolojan’s toppling in a no-confidence vote has exposed Romania’s fiscal and political insecurities. Rebuilding the country’s pro-European coalition could bring stability, but at the expense of further populist backsliding over the long term
Magyar’s mandate: Six insights from a post-election Hungary
ECFR polling reveals that Peter Magyar’s mandate is far more complicated than EU leaders were hoping for: voters want domestic repair first, are split on Ukraine, and increasingly reluctant to ditch Russian energy
Radev’s way: What Europe can expect from Bulgaria’s new political constellation
Bulgarians have overwhelmingly voted for Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party to take power. Radev has espoused the benefits of EU membership, but Europeans should be wary of his pro-Russia rhetoric
Four principles for an EU-Hungary reset
Brussels should set clear conditions for Hungary’s European comeback—and use its moment of leverage to incentivise a geopolitical shift
Podcasts
Emergency Room: The AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt
Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Puglierin, senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Berlin office, to discuss the Alternative for Germany (AfD)’s election win in Saxony-Anhalt—and what it means for Germany and Europe
Political crisis in Germany
Mark Leonard welcomes Jörg Lau and Jana Puglierin to discuss Germany’s deepening political crisis, the rise of the AfD and how the country’s regional elections could impact Europe’s largest democracy
Marine Le Pen’s comeback
Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin and Jeremy Cliffe to discuss Marine Le Pen’s return to the French presidential race
How progress ends
Mark Leonard speaks to Carl Benedikt Frey about the global productivity slowdown, the limits of AI and why the greatest economic risk may be the end of progress itself
The age of hyperpolitics
Mark Leonard welcomes Anton Jäger to discuss why political engagement is surging across Western democracies
The rise of populism
Mark Leonard speaks to Liam Byrne about populism across Europe and the failure of mainstream politics to respond
Hungary after Orbán
Mark Leonard is joined by Zsuzsanna Szelényi to talk about the defeat of Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán by Péter Magyar
Events
8
Jun
The Art of the Deal: European Green Policy in Trumpian Times
Europe’s green transition is no longer a matter primarily of technocratic expertise and regulatory process. It is now contested at the heart of politics itself. The question is which vision will prevail: a pro-electric and future-oriented Europe, or a pro-fossil Europe anchored in the past. In this context, in Brussels on 8 June…
European Power
ECFR elections insight: Why Hungary’s vote matters for Europe
Hungary goes to the polls on 12 April—and this one really matters. Not just for Budapest, but for the whole of Europe. Because what’s at stake here isn’t simply who governs one EU member state, but something bigger: how and whether the EU can function effectively with a spoiler state – that often acts as a backdoor to…
23
Mar
European Power
The New Right: Anatomy of a Global Revolution
As European and German politics are being reshaped by electoral volatility, fragmented party systems, and the continued rise of populist forces, we are delighted to invite you to a public debate on “The New Right: Anatomy of a Global Revolution.” In the aftermath of the important regional elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate,…
10
Feb
The New Right: Understanding its legitimacy and policy agenda
As the rise of the new right and “MAGA-ization” of politics is having a greater impact on the UK and Europe, this event will aim to discuss these new movements – looking at their critique of the status-quo, their electoral base, policy agenda and organising and communication methods. Having spent the past year talking to…
In the media
Teresa Coratella and Arturo Varvelli on the Russian influence in Italy made possible by the far-right
Teresa Coratella on the rise of Roberto Vannacci’s party in Italy and his strategy on Russia
