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Tuesday, 22.10.2024

A British-German Exchange about Elections 2024 in the UK and Germany

Democracy of the Future
Event
 

On the afternoon of Tuesday 22nd October 2024, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung London office co-hosted an exchange in Portcullis House with Phil Brickell MP, Ed Turner of Aston University and in the company of regional experts about the ongoing rise of right-wing populists and radical right-wing forces in the UK and Germany. The discussion was focused on the issue of how the Labour Party and the SPD can deal with right-wing populism and what each country can learn from the other. Input was provided by Mirko Hempel, Director of FES Thuringia, and former German MEP Arne Lietz.

Speakers discussed the following questions:

  • What key factors are responsible for the AfD’s support?  Why is it especially strong in eastern Germany?
  • What are the commonalities and point of difference with far right and populist parties elsewhere?
  • How practical steps can mainstream parties organise against such parties and movements?  Do these differ for different groups of the population?
  • What is the right policy and communication response to these parties’ focus on issues like migration and asylum – a degree of accommodation or robust rejection?
  • What role has social media played in the rise of the AfD and comparable parties, and how can democratic parties counter it?
  • Will the rise of such parties affect policy issues such as the UK’s relationship with the EU or the degree of European support for Ukraine?

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
London Office

23 Devereux Court
WC2R 3JJ London

info.london(at)fes.de

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Dublin Office

31/32 Parnell Square W
D01 X682 Dublin

info.dublin(at)fes.de