Reclaiming Action: Progressive Strategies in Times of Growing Right-Wing Populism in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany

Right-wing populist parties are on the rise almost everywhere in Europe. In the Scandinavian countries, too, where Social Democracy has had the most decisive influence on the development of a solidary society and an inclusive and emancipatory welfare model, policymakers face increasingly substantial difficulties in forming government coalitions vis-à-vis aspiring competitors who have emerged on the far right in recent decades. In light of the remarkable rise of right-wing populism in Germany and its growing presence in parliaments and discourses, this FES report contextualizes and compares the growth of right-wing populism in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. Based on the identification of strategies applied by progressive parties towards right-wing populist parties in the past and in the present, the authors evaluate the success of various strategies and develop recommendations for progressive and sustainable actions to “reclaim action” against right-wing populist parties. In this event, former Head of the FES Nordic Office and publication editor Christian Krell will present the most relevant findings of the report and discuss strategies against right-wing populism.

Contact: Marco.Funk(at)fes-europe.eu