Interviews
Prof. Merkel on the Rise of the AfD: Trying to Outflank the Far Right Is Not a Winning Strategy
In this ECPS interview, Professor Wolfgang Merkel examines the rise of the AfD, the weakening of Germany’s traditional political center, and the...
Dr. Blombäck: The Debate Over Sweden’s Newest Citizens Has Become Quite Ugly
In this ECPS interview, Assistant Professor Sofie Blombäck examines the Sweden Democrats’ electoral setback alongside the continuing normalization of ideas long associated...
Andrei Gheorghe: Populism May Define the 21st Century, Yet Romania Remains an Understudied Case
In this inaugural interview of the ECPS Youth Program’s new interview series, ECPS-ECRN member Andrei Gheorghe discusses his comparative research...
Assoc. Prof. Loxbo: Sweden Has Become an Extreme Case of Radical-Right Mainstreaming
In this ECPS interview, Associate Professor Karl Loxbo of Stockholm University examines Sweden as an increasingly striking case of radical-right mainstreaming. He...
Assoc. Prof. Norocel: Swedish Mainstream Parties Have Radicalized Rather Than SD Moderating on Immigration
In this ECPS interview, Associate Professor Ov Cristian Norocel of Lund University examines how the Sweden Democrats’ electoral decline can coexist...
Dr. Gefjon Off: The Sweden Democrats Lost Votes, but Its Influence Remains Clear
In this ECPS interview, Dr. Gefjon Off examines the Sweden Democrats’ 2026 electoral setback against the backdrop of their continuing...
Prof. Bodnar: Democracies Must Strengthen Civil Society Before Illiberalism Returns
In an interview with the ECPS, Professor Adam Bodnar, Poland’s Minister of Justice from 2023 to 2025, reflects on Poland’s...
Dr. Suda: The Answer to the AfD Is Not Ending the Firewall or Copying Its Agenda, but Delivering for Voters
In this ECPS interview, Dr. Sophie Suda, Postdoctoral Researcher in Comparative Politics at the University of Basel, examines the AfD’s...
Prof. Kenworthy: Trumpism Could Disappear If a More Appealing Agenda Comes Along
Ahead of the 2026 US midterms, Professor Lane Kenworthy argues that Trumpism’s apparent dominance should not be mistaken for permanence....
Assoc. Prof. Hellström: Many Swedes Feel That Rejudification Has Gone Too Far
Ahead of Sweden’s September 13, 2026 election, Associate Professor Anders Hellström argues that the Sweden Democrats’ influence can no longer...
Prof. Önnerfors: If SD Enters Government, Swedish Politics Will Enter a New Phase
As Sweden approaches a razor-thin 2026 election, Professor Andreas Jahrehorn Önnerfors argues that the Sweden Democrats’ significance lies not only in...
Prof. Bolin: The Sweden Democrats Have Normalized Without Becoming Less Populist
Professor Niklas Bolin argues that the Sweden Democrats’ most consequential transformation is institutional normalization rather than ideological moderation. As Sweden...