In 2021, the new government of chancellor Olaf Scholz took over from the conservatives and pre-emptively celebrated itself as a “progress coalition” that is “setting the course for a decade of social, ecological, economic, digital, and social renewal”.1 The coalition… Continue Reading
The success of Reform UK in the British general election of July 2024 is unprecedented.1 The far right, anti-immigration party won 4.12 million votes, 14 percent of the total, and five seats: Clacton in Essex, Boston and Skegness in Lincolnshire,… Continue Reading
In a world beset by major interlocking crises, the United States, still the world’s largest economic and military power, is experiencing an unsettled election season.1 Predictions of a landslide victory for an increasingly untethered Donald Trump have dissipated with Vice… Continue Reading
In France this summer, victory seemed promised to Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN; National Rally), following a lightning-fast campaign after snap elections were called by President Emmanuel Macron.1 Instead, the left obtained the largest number of parliamentary seats. To… Continue Reading
There are moments when the flood tide of history threatens to overwhelm individuals and organisations, rendering them almost powerless.1 There are other moments, when, with sufficient clarity, a willingness to strike out in a new direction and a modicum of… Continue Reading
The victory of the Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) in the Italian general election held in September 2022, where it emerged as the biggest party, poses sharp questions.1 The overall vote for the right-wing electoral coalition—composed of the Fratelli, Matteo… Continue Reading
A review of Anti-Gender Politics in the Populist Moment, Agnieszka Graff and Elżbieta Korolczuk (Routledge, 2021), £120 The need to understand how and why the populist far right has been so successful has never been more urgent. The victories for… Continue Reading
The results of the French presidential elections in April 2022 show a level of polarisation in France not seen since the 1930s. Fascist Marine Le Pen of the Rassemblement National (National Rally; NR) party, previously known as the Front National… Continue Reading
The war in Ukraine has reshaped the French presidential election, the first round of which is set to take place on 10 April. President Emmanuel Macron has used the opportunity to portray himself as a global statesman who can bring… Continue Reading
Much of the United States breathed a collective sigh of relief on Saturday 7 November as Donald Trump’s electoral defeat became clear. People posted reactions on social media immediately after the results were announced. In New York City, as in… Continue Reading