An Analysis of the Spitzenkandidaten Process – Part 2

Classic political theories suggest that a democratic government should have both “input” and “output” legitimacy. A political institution relies public opinion and policy preference, …

An Analysis of the Spitzenkandidaten Process – Part 1

The European Commission is meant to be the non-partisan, executive branch of the EU that consists of experts rather than politicians. However, the appointment …

A new beginning – Greece after the elections

Unemployment peaked at 27.5%, more than 400,000 people emigrated in a single year, and the debt to GDP ratio reached 180%. The 2008 financial …

The parliamentary voting behaviour of populist parties in Greece

Timbro’s methodological distinction in the Authoritarian Populism Index between extreme and authoritarian populist parties is highly relevant in the Greek political environment, as shown …

An election without winners: Swedish politics faces an uncertain future

When Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the nationalist Sweden Democrats, entered the stage at the party’s summer festival in early August he exuded confidence: “Now …

Every promise is debt

Every euro of new debt today is a euro that is going to be paid by Italians through higher taxation, tomorrow. Until 4 March …

Early Elections in Italy? An Issue of democracy, corruption, and banks

With the potential for an early election by the end of the year, Italy must face the realities of its democratic system: cronyism and …

Emmanuel Macron has won. Will he be able to deliver?

On 7 may 2017, the French elected as their new President a 39-year-old former banker, someone neither left nor right, unknown to them until …