Policy Work

I try to do research that is not only scientifically rigorous but also has practical implications. To this end, I work a lot with the Institute for European Policymaking (IEP) at Bocconi University.

This page shows you commentaries on political events, interviews, and similar formats in which I talk about the practical implications of my own research and related work.

Video Presentations


Why are Populist Parties so Successful in the EU?

(IEP@BU webinar)

The June 2024 European Elections will see once again a competition between mainstream parties and populist, or nativist movements. Laurenz Guenther finds that, while policymaking represents the economic attitudes of citizens relatively well, there exist large representation gaps on cultural issues in nearly all European countries.

Policy Commentaries


The Representation Gap Weakening Germany’s Traditional Left

(IEP@BU commentary)

The crisis of Die Linke and the rise of BSW demonstrate that parties combining left-wing economic policies with culturally conservative stances, particularly on migration, are becoming more competitive.

Why European Far-Right Parties Are Poised to Continue Rising

(IEP@BU commentary)

About half of the European population views all established parties as too culturally liberal, especially on migration policies. Why this might mean that the rise of right-wing populism is far from over and has a very ceiling, if any.

Book Chapters and Magazine Articles


Political Representation Gaps: A New Narrative for the Rise of Populism?

(forthcoming in Eco)

Does the “Populism Through Misinformation” Narrative Survive Scientific Scrutiny?

(forthcoming in: The Future Challenges for European Integration, Palgrave-Macmillan.)