DEF IX - From Margins to Mainstream: the Far Right's Threat in European Politics

The 9th edition of our Annual Conference took place in Delphi and Arachova on April 10-13, 2024

Programming Partners: Wilfried Martens Center for European Studies & Konstantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy

Populism and far-right extremism are not novel phenomena within European societies and politics. On the contrary, their deep roots in history have led to catastrophic outcomes for European nations. Ongoing wars in our neighboring regions, global economic challenges, and an unprecedented wave of immigration have strained the cultural, social, and religious cohesion of European societies, making the far-right ideology appear as a seemingly rational political alternative. Across Europe, extreme right-wing parties have either already gained significant support or are poised to do so in various types of elections. This time, the far-right threat is tangible. This panel, organized by the Martens Centre and the Konstantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy, will focus on these developments and endeavor to address some of the most pressing questions for the European Union in light of the formation of the new European Parliament.

Mikuláš Dzurinda, President, Martens Centre; Prime Minister of Slovakia (1998-2006)
Antonis Klapsis, AssistantProfessor, University of the Peloponnese, Greece
Corina Stratulat, Associate Director & Head of the Eu Politics & Institutions Programme, European Policy Centre

Chair: Panagiotis Kakolyris, Vice President, European Network of Political Foundations, Greece