Elections and parties

Brexit marks one of the biggest crises to face the European Union. The outcome of the upcoming elections will be crucial to Europe’s future. On the one hand, this section will analyse the electoral situation in individual countries, including the formation of a government in Sweden and the parliamentary elections in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece and Poland and the local council elections in Germany, Spain and Turkey. On the other hand, the political developments surrounding the European Parliament elections will be a major focus. Social issues in particular will be discussed with respect to the European left from both country-specific and Europe-wide perspectives, and strategies will be developed that the left can use to counter nationalist and right-wing populist movements.

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hanna-gedin2_c-640x360 Agnes Stuber

“We need to give people hope”

Hanna Gedin, Duroyan Fertl
Northern ExposureElections and parties
An interview with Hanna Gedin from the Swedish Left Party Vänsterpartiet on the priorities and challenges of the Swedish Left ahead of the European elections.  In the lead up to the 2024 European Parliament elections this June, the Rosa Luxemburg-Stiftung is conducting a series of interviews with parties and ... read more "”We need to give people hope”"
“Someone who cares about housing.“ Kay-Michael Dankl is not only present in the neighbourhoods during the election campaign. The KPÖ candidate for the office of mayor in Salzburg achieved 28 percent in the municipal elections on 10 March and made it to the run-off, where he is running against the SPÖ candidate. KPÖ

Learning from Salzburg

Ines Schwerdtner
Elections and parties
KPÖ Plus becomes the second strongest force in the municipal council and mayoral elections in Salzburg Kay-Michael Dankl is greeted with cheers as he arrives on his bike at the Volksheim community centre in Salzburg. Several hundred friends and comrades have gathered at the venue on the evening of 10 March to celebrate election night.... read more "Learning from Salzburg"
A poster of Ada Colau’s campaign for Barcelona’s municipal election in May 2023 IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Eight years of political change in Barcelona

Pablo Castaño
Social-ecological transformationElections and parties
The local and regional (autonomous community) elections of May 2023 marked a shift to the right across most of the Spanish state. Barcelona was no exception: the intense mobilization of the richest neighbourhoods and the electoral stagnation of Barcelona en Comú, the party with which Ada Colau had governed the ... read more "Eight years of political change in Barcelona"
The leader of the Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition Luis Montenegro holding his victory speech during the election night on 10 march 2024, Lisbon. IMAGO / SOPA Images

Portugal: high instability and a shift to the right

Andrea Peniche
Elections and parties
While the votes are still being counted (four MPs representing the Portuguese communities abroad are still to be elected), and after a night of volatile emotions, the main right-wing coalition, the Democratic Alliance (AD, formed by the main right-wing party, the PSD, and a smaller partner, the CDS), ... read more "Portugal: high instability and a shift to the right"
Arruada, Volksfest von Corroios (im portugiesischen Kreis Seixal), September 2023.

“Choosing people’s lives over profits and high rents”

Andrea Peniche, Mariana Mortágua
Elections and parties
Interview with Mariana Mortágua Early legislative elections will be held in Portugal next March 10th. The President of the Republic dismissed the government on December 7th and dissolved Parliament on January 15th, bringing an end to a Socialist Party government with an absolute majority elected on... read more "“Choosing people’s lives over profits and high rents”"
Abascal with Carlson at the anti-government demonstrations at the PSOE headquarters in Ferraz.

The international alliances of the Spanish far right

Nora Rodríguez, Miquel Ramos
Elections and parties
Spain’s far right has lagged behind its counterparts in other European countries in gaining a foothold in Spanish political institutions. After the death of the dictator Francisco Franco, far-right platforms experienced failure after failure, and only starting in 2011 did they begin to gain representation... read more "The international alliances of the Spanish far right"
From the left to the right: Bustinduy, Urtasun, Díaz, García and Rego, the five new ministers of Sumar

Spain’s new coalition government faces a challenging legislative period

Maria del Vigo
Elections and parties
Sumar will have a vice-presidency and 5 ministries, but with limited powers. Among the MPs who have said yes to Sánchez are the conservative Catalan nationalists of Junts and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV).  Podemos is left out of the government and leaves the coalition to... read more "Spain’s new coalition government faces a challenging legislative period"
Protest by the extreme right in front of the PSOE headquarters in Madrid 8th November 2023.

The Spanish far right mobilizes against the new progressive coalition government

Nora Rodríguez, Miquel Ramos
Elections and parties
The amnesty for politicians and activists prosecuted for the independence referendum held in Catalonia on 1 October 2017 mobilizes far-right groups around the slogan "Spain is breaking up". Nazi, fascist and ultra-Catholic groups rally against Spain's new government. Spain's ... read more "The Spanish far right mobilizes against the new progressive coalition government"
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