Media Coverage

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


When voters are more conservative than elected representatives

(Eco, the monthly economics magazine)

This article discusses evidence of “political representation gaps” — policymaking in most European countries differs systematically from the popular will. I also discuss how populists exploit representation gaps, how non-populist parties could win back voters, and examine potential causes of representation gaps.

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

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

Repräsentationslücken, Rechtspopulisten und was zu tun ist

(forthcoming in: Journal für Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft)