Reposted by Stijn van KesselJens Rydgren @jensrydgren.bsky.social · 10/09/2026It's getting closer. The e-book will be published in April 2027, followed by the print edition in June 2027. 0194
Reposted by Stijn van KesselCas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 07/09/2026With some delay, my op-Ed on the dramatic Saxony-Anhalt election. It is high time we focus our political struggle on strengthening democracy, rather than merely weakening the far right. To do this, we must show realism, resilience and restraint.theguardian.comThe AfD’s win in Germany is a dark day for Europe. Time is running out to stop the far right | Cas MuddeThis party is among the most extreme in Europe. To protect our democracies, liberal parties must urgently change their tactics, says Cas Mudde, author of The Far Right Today 19350174
Reposted by Stijn van KesselCas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 07/09/2026So wonderful to be cited in the same article as my friend @tabouchadi.bsky.social and my grad student @gabrielagreilinger.com -- Thanks @jonhenley.bsky.socialtheguardian.comEurope’s centre fears nationalist wave after AfD victory but only has itself to blameSaxony-Anhalt win part of wider trend driven by mainstream policy failures and gradual normalisation of far right ideas 23710
Stijn van Kessel @stijntvankessel.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Some comments from me in this Radio France Internationale piece on the bonds between Jordan Bardella and Nigel Farage www.rfi.fr/en/france/20...rfi.frHow France and Britain’s far right are building a populist ‘entente cordiale’Jordan Bardella will address Reform UK's party conference in Birmingham on Friday, putting the French far-right leader alongside Nigel Farage as both men seek to strengthen their political profiles.… 042
Reposted by Stijn van KesselDuncan McDonnell @duncanmcdonnell.com · 01/09/2026At 9.00 next Tuesday at #ECPR2026, @ammassarisofia.bsky.social & I will talk about our new books - on grassroots women and on young people in the radical right. With @caterinafr.bsky.social & @stijntvankessel.bsky.social discussing, and @leoniedejonge.bsky.social chairing, it should be lively! 1167
Reposted by Stijn van KesselCaterina Froio @caterinafr.bsky.social · 14/08/2026@sciencespo-cee.bsky.social Free-market or protectionist? Studying 4 European far-right parties over 5 decades, we find a consistent ideological logic: economic chauvinism, producerism and populism. @spsr.bsky.social @stijntvankessel.bsky.social E. Dalle Mulle, K. Abts. @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social 0112
Stijn van Kessel @stijntvankessel.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Our article on the discursive coherence of populist radical right parties' economic agendas is out now with @spsr.bsky.social (with Emmanuel Dalle Mulle, Koen Abts, and @caterinafr.bsky.social): doi.org/10.1111/spsr...doi.orgA Joint Venture? The Ideological Foundations of the Populist Radical Right's Economic Agenda Beyond Welfare PoliciesRecently, the socio-economic agenda of populist radical right parties (PRRPs) has attracted growing scholarly interest, yet many studies focus specifically on positions on welfare policies. It is oft... 1197
Reposted by Stijn van KesselColm Murphy @colmpm.bsky.social · 16/07/2026I had a go at exploring what Burnham could actually do, realistically, in the short term. (Always a dangerous choice for a historian...). Despite the structural challenges, on which I'm liable to focus, my answer is not 'nothing'. blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp... @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.socialblogs.lse.ac.ukWhat can Andy Burnham actually do? | LSE British PoliticsAndy Burnham might be more charismatic than Keir Starmer but the problems he is inheriting go beyond personality. Can he really make a difference? 21610
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 07/07/2026"In what must rank as one of the most self-pitying, self-obsessed pieces of political rhetoric we’ve heard from a politician since Boris Johnson’s myriad attempts to justify himself back in 2022, Nigel Farage surprised absolutely no-one..." Me for @uk.theconversation.com this arvo.theconversation.comWhy Nigel Farage is resigning as an MP, only to stand again – expert analysisNigel Farage is triggering a by-election, appearing to be pitting people against ‘the establishment’. 1525780
Stijn van Kessel @stijntvankessel.bsky.social · 08/07/2026A few comments from me in this Politico piece on recent events involving Farage and Le Pen.politico.euFarage and Le Pen try Trump’s trick of turning scandal to their advantageThe godparents of Europe’s populist right seek to brazen their way out of trouble, hoping voters will agree the establishment is conspiring to stitch them up. 192
Reposted by Stijn van KesselPetter Törnberg @pettertornberg.com · 07/07/2026‘Polarization’ has become the master concept for diagnosing our current democratic crisis. But this is not polarization. It is the radicalization of the political right. By misdiagnosing it, we risk becoming complicit in the crisis. 🧵 Just out in Perspectives on Politics doi.org/10.1017/S153... 4834441428
Reposted by Stijn van KesselCaterina Froio @caterinafr.bsky.social · 24/06/2026#Populism? The PopuList 4.0 and its shiny website are out today! Always a pleasure to work with captain @mrooduijn.bsky.social and the rocking crew @dafnoukos.bsky.social @sldelange.bsky.social @casmudde.bsky.social @stijntvankessel.bsky.social @paultaggart.bsky.social @cris-sciencespo.bsky.social 12610
Reposted by Stijn van KesselMatthijs Rooduijn @mrooduijn.bsky.social · 24/06/2026To mark the launch, The Guardian publishes an article based on our latest data on the rise of far-right parties across Europe: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comNearly a quarter of voters in Europe now back far-right partiesAnalysis by more than 150 political scientists finds proportion who back such parties has increased nearly fivefold since 1995 3175
Stijn van Kessel @stijntvankessel.bsky.social · 24/06/2026A few comments of mine in this piece on how, after Brexit, most European radical right parties have remained reluctant to promote their countries’ withdrawal from the EU.ilpost.itDopo Brexit non ci ha provato più nessunoI partiti radicali europei che volevano copiarla ci hanno ripensato, vedendo come è andata: ma forse nemmeno all'epoca facevano sul serio 013
Reposted by Stijn van KesselMatthijs Rooduijn @mrooduijn.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Today we launch the new version of The PopuList! The PopuList provides an overview of far-left, far-right and populist parties in 31 European countries from 1989 until 1 May 2026. Explore the new website here: popu-list.orgpopu-list.orgHome - The PopuListThe PopuList Interactive Version 4.0 Static Version 4.0 CSV Version 4.0 What is the PopuList? The PopuList offers researchers, journalists, […] 415477
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSarah de Lange @sldelange.bsky.social · 24/06/2026De nieuwe editie van de wetenschappijke popu-list.org is uit "Met gebalde vuisten maakt uiterst rechts een opmars in Europa: in tien jaar van marginale beweging naar een kwart van het electoraat": www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...nrc.nlMet gebalde vuisten maakt uiterst rechts een opmars in Europa: in tien jaar van marginale beweging naar een kwart van het electoraatPolitiek: Ruim 23 procent van de Europese kiezers in 31 landen stemde recent op een uiterst rechtse partij, zo blijkt uit onderzoek van Europese politicologen. Uiterst links verdwijnt steeds meer naar... 22510
Stijn van Kessel @stijntvankessel.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Modestly contributed to this ABC Australia news item about lessons from the UK by-election.abc.net.auThe UK's version of One Nation just got smashed. Could our PM learn from it?Britain's unpopular Labour government just scored a thumping by-election victory, but what could look like a blueprint for combating a populist opponent could actually be a warning for Anthony Albanes... 013
Reposted by Stijn van KesselProfessor Daniele Albertazzi @dralbertazziuk.bsky.social · 16/06/2026On the way to Dublin for the 32nd International Conference of Europeanists, where l shall talk about this book with one of my co-authors: @adrianfavero.bsky.social. Special thanks to Sorina Soare for chairing! It's on Wedn. 17th at 9am in O'Connor L2.21. The book is free to read (link below) 1104
Reposted by Stijn van KesselColm Murphy @colmpm.bsky.social · 10/06/2026I have to say, listening to the Today programme dedicate an entire (context free) section about whether migrants are more likely to be convicted criminals *the morning after* hundreds of non-migrants of my own ethnicity committed a pogrom is blood boiling. 7738221059
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Just watched it (admittedly on 2x speed so as to avoid a blood pressure spike). Verdict: a total nothingburger. Basically, a bunch of old reheated anecdotes from Bourbons (and the odd self-regarding Jacobin) who've learned nothing and forgotten nothing.bbc.co.ukBrexit: A Very British Civil War - Series 1: 1. Demons UnleashedThe promise of a referendum helps David Cameron win a majority. Nigel Farage starts to campaign for Brexit. Boris Johnson and Michael Gove decide whether to back Leave or Remain. 188926
Reposted by Stijn van KesselDuncan McDonnell @duncanmcdonnell.com · 04/06/2026Another YOUMEM article published - the 2nd this week and the 7th in total from the project! In this one, led by @ammassarisofia.bsky.social, we look at women & men's perceptions of having acquired efficacy and greater political ambitions. The article is online & open access in Politics & Gender. 1124
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSofia Ammassari @ammassarisofia.bsky.social · 18/05/20266 years ago, I started asking a question that political science had largely ignored: how & why do women get involved in PRR parties as grassroots members? Today, my 1st book proposes an answer. Grassroots Women in the Populist Radical Right is now out online with OUP: academic.oup.com/book/62754academic.oup.comGrassroots Women in the Populist Radical RightAbstract. This book investigates women’s involvement as members of populist radical right (PRR) parties. The latter have long been characterised as ‘men’s 410939
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSarah de Lange @sldelange.bsky.social · 16/04/2026🚨 VACATURE Het Instituut Politieke Wetenschap van Uni Leiden is op zoek naar twee UD2s met expertise in één of meer van de volgende gebieden: de Europese Unie-politiek, politieke economie, milieupolitiek, beleid en/of de Nederlandse politiek. careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/Universi...careers.universiteitleiden.nlUniversitair Docenten Politieke WetenschapUniversitair Docenten Politieke Wetenschap 33029
Stijn van Kessel @stijntvankessel.bsky.social · 15/04/2026In good company with @leoniedejonge.bsky.social @sldelange.bsky.social @gabrielagreilinger.com saying a few words on the implications of Orbán's loss www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...theguardian.comHungary’s voters shunned Orbán – but it may be too early to celebrate end of Europe’s far rightLeaders of Poland and Germany hail Péter Magyar’s majority as a turning of the tide – but analysts say there were other reasons for defeat of prime minister 0297
Reposted by Stijn van KesselMatthew Barnfield @mbarnfield.bsky.social · 14/04/2026I just published something on my Substack about one reason, among many, why I don't think communicating public consensus on climate change is anything like as powerful a climate policy tool as people make it out to be. open.substack.com/pub/drmatthe...open.substack.comClimate consensus communication probably isn't a gamechangerWhy I don't think the best available evidence supports the story that is being told about it 0137
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 14/04/2026Hoping events in Hungary might encourage renewed undergraduate interest in the continent's politics - for obvious reasons 😉 0354
Reposted by Stijn van KesselGabriela Greilinger @gabrielagreilinger.com · 10/04/2026Very proud to see our piece in @theguardian.com on Hungary's hopeful, Péter Magyar, and his prospects for restoring liberal democracy in Hungary. 🇭🇺🗞️ While expectations among international observers are high, we need to be realistic. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comEven if Victor Orbán is ousted on Sunday, Hungary’s return to liberal democracy is not guaranteed | Gabriela Greilinger and Cas MuddeChallenger Péter Magyar is no progressive – and after 16 years of creeping authoritarianism, the PM has embedded Fidesz in the Hungarian state, say Gabriela Greilinger and Cas Mudde of the University of Georgia 37929
Reposted by Stijn van KesselGuus Valk @guusvalk.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Lees dit essay waarmee @lamyae.bsky.social afscheid neemt als politiek redacteur in Den Haag. Neem elk woord in je op, en lees het dan nog een keer www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...nrc.nlZaken doen met uiterst rechts is geen punt meer in politiek Den Haag: tijd om te gaanPolitiek: In Den Haag zag Lamyae Aharouay hoe uiterst rechts normaal werd gemaakt door andere partijen. Ze was verbijsterd – maar bleef als journalist gefascineerd. Nu wil ze afstand: niet meer steeds... 33478202
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSimon Otjes @simonotjes.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Hoe moeten we omgaan met FVD nu ze lokaal zo groot zijn geworden? @leoniedejonge.bsky.social en ik pleiten op basis van onderzoek voor een cordon www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...nrc.nlOpinie | Je verslaat Forum voor Democratie niet door ermee in debat te gaanExtreemrechts: Hoe om te gaan met extreemrechtse partijen in een democratisch bestel? Behandel ze niet als normale politici, schrijven Léonie de Jonge en Simon Otjes. Daarin hebben alle journalisten e... 75723
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSarah de Lange @sldelange.bsky.social · 21/03/2026In Trouw een ingekorte versie van onze uitgebreide analyse op @stukroodvlees.bsky.social 33916
Reposted by Stijn van KesselCas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 20/03/2026Onze waarschuwing over de groei van het extreem-rechtse Forum voor Democratie nu ook op @villamedia.nlvillamedia.nlDe groei van de FvD, de normalisering van extreemrechts en een oproep aan de journalistiekHoogleraren, docenten en onderzoekers Matthijs Rooduijn, Sarah de Lange, Léonie de Jonge, Stijn van Kessel, Cas Mudde en Andrej Zaslove staan stil bij de overwinning van Forum voor Democratie tijdens ... 814061
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSarah de Lange @sldelange.bsky.social · 20/03/2026Voor Villamedia breiden we onze analyse van het succes van de FvD en de normalisering van extreemrechts uit met een reflectie op de rol van de media en doen we aanbevelingen hoe zij zich tot extreemrechts kunnen verhouden om de democratie te beschermen www.villamedia.nl/artikel/de-g...villamedia.nlDe groei van de FvD, de normalisering van extreemrechts en een oproep aan de journalistiekHoogleraren, docenten en onderzoekers Matthijs Rooduijn, Sarah de Lange, Léonie de Jonge, Stijn van Kessel, Cas Mudde en Andrej Zaslove staan stil bij de overwinning van Forum voor Democratie tijdens ... 912068
Reposted by Stijn van KesselCas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Bijna iedere verkiezing in de 21e eeuw was een overwinning voor een rechtspopulistische (LPF, BBB) of radikaalrechtse partij (PVV). Gisteren won een EXTREEMrechtse partij en dat is zeer zorgwekkend. FvD is anti-democratisch, antisemitisch, en racistisch. Stop de normalisatie!stukroodvlees.nlDe groei van FVD en de normalisering van extreemrechts - StukRoodVleesDe landelijke partij die bij de gemeenteraadsverkiezingen van gisteren de grootste zetelwinst heeft geboekt is Forum voor Democratie (FVD). Het aantal kiezers voor de partij is ten opzichte van 2022 o... 715459
Reposted by Stijn van KesselMatthijs Rooduijn @mrooduijn.bsky.social · 19/03/2026FVD is de grootste landelijke winnaar van de verkiezingen. Met @sldelange.bsky.social @leoniedejonge.bsky.social @stijntvankessel.bsky.social @casmudde.bsky.social & Andrej Zaslove betoog ik dat deze partij extreemrechts is en dat die groei dus zeer zorgwekkend is. stukroodvlees.nl/de-groei-van...stukroodvlees.nlDe groei van FVD en de normalisering van extreemrechts - StukRoodVleesDe landelijke partij die bij de gemeenteraadsverkiezingen van gisteren de grootste zetelwinst heeft geboekt is Forum voor Democratie (FVD). Het aantal kiezers voor de partij is ten opzichte van 2022 o... 89230
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSarah de Lange @sldelange.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Het is van groot belang deze ochtend stil te staan bij het succes van FvD. Voor het eerst in de naoorlogse geschiedenis is een extreemrechtse partij vertegenwoordigd in een groot aantal gemeenten en wordt haar gedachtegoed hierdoor genormaliseerd stukroodvlees.nl/de-groei-van...stukroodvlees.nlDe groei van FVD en de normalisering van extreemrechts - StukRoodVleesDe landelijke partij die bij de gemeenteraadsverkiezingen van gisteren de grootste zetelwinst heeft geboekt is Forum voor Democratie (FVD). Het aantal kiezers voor de partij is ten opzichte van 2022 o... 20268167
Reposted by Stijn van KesselAnna-Sophie Heinze @asheinze.bsky.social · 02/03/2026🎉 New publication 😍 The 4th wave of the #farright is marked by #mainstreaming & #normalisation - but how can we distinguish between them? In our new article, @gefjonoff.bsky.social and I map the existing literature, introduce a conceptual framework & outline research avenues. doi.org/10.1017/S147... 316567
Stijn van Kessel @stijntvankessel.bsky.social · 05/02/2026We @qmulsse.bsky.social have a vacancy: a one year Lectureship in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship). Please see details below.eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.comLecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship) - QMUL JobsID: 8933. Title: Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship). Application Deadline: 031
Reposted by Stijn van KesselPopulism in Action @populisminaction.bsky.social · 05/02/2026Members of our @populisminaction.bsky.social team will be presenting our work at 2 conferences in the near future: The Political Studies Association 2026 Annual Conference in Oxford (30th March-1st Apr) and the 32nd International Conference of Europeanists in Dublin (16-18 June). Details below. 126
Reposted by Stijn van KesselSarah de Lange @sldelange.bsky.social · 05/02/2026For an international audience: Forum for Democracy (FvD) is showing its true colors in many ways recently, amongst others by having candidates from extremist extraparliamentary organisations on its local lists 32011
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Great intervention by @jwmueller-pu.bsky.social on reactionary centrism, anti-wokeness, and the tendency to interpret the success of the right as backlash instead of as its own political project www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comBeware of ‘anti-woke’ liberals: they attacked the left and helped Trump win | Jan-Werner MüllerSo-called ‘reactionary centrist’ pundits proclaimed that there was a global ‘vibe shift’ in favor of the right. They were wrong 26124
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTom Louwerse @tomlouwerse.nl · 20/01/2026Seven MPs of Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) quit the party and start their own parliamentary party group in the Dutch House of Representatives. They refer to the fact that Wilders is the only party member of the PVV and the lack of results. www.dutchnews.nl/2026/01/dutc...dutchnews.nlDutch far-right PVV falls apart, seven MPs form new party - DutchNews.nlSeven MPs from the far-right PVV have left the party in a dispute over strategy with its leader, founder and only member, Geert Wilders. A document drawn up by the dissidents shows the group demanded ... 44525
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 16/12/2025Radical right parties in Europe have not moderated. Their positions and rhetoric have entered the mainstream. They have become normalized and legitimized. Unless we understand this, we have little chance of countering their success. 10542194
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 12/12/2025This is a brilliant piece on the restructuring of political competition in Western Europe and goes far beyond the question of populism. Great also for teaching. 18029
Reposted by Stijn van KesselProfessor Daniele Albertazzi @dralbertazziuk.bsky.social · 11/12/2025Back at Bologna's Alma Mater today to discuss the book below with Politics postgrads... Looking forward to it.... The book is open access -free to read and download. See link below. 182
Reposted by Stijn van KesselJoris Frese @fresejoris.bsky.social · 10/12/2025The core thesis of our Brextinction paper, beautifully (or morbidly?) summarized in one flowchart (also based on YouGov data). @simonhix.bsky.social @juhoharkonen.bsky.social ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... 14517
Reposted by Stijn van KesselBastiaan Rijpkema @bastiaanrijpkema.bsky.social · 03/12/2025📣 #MilitantDemocracy out in #OpenAccess @routledgebooks.bsky.social! 📝 Offers one of the first comprehensive theories of #democraticselfdefence. Great to see it’s still relevant to current debates. 🎂 This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Dutch edition! www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mon... 2319
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 27/11/2025For the Guardian, @jonhenley.bsky.social reports on our new research briefs on the politics of housing. Current policies too often treat housing as an asset. Housing as a social right has nearly disappeared from the agenda of even progressive parties. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...theguardian.comEuropean progressives must tackle housing crisis to beat far right, say researchersCentre left can win broad support by addressing soaring house prices and rents, according to data analysis 07127
Reposted by Stijn van KesselCas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 22/11/2025After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low. European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths! Me in @theguardian.comtheguardian.comThe ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas MuddeThis week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde 14635258
Reposted by Stijn van KesselTarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 22/11/2025Cas Mudde spells out what has become largely the consensus among researchers: moving right on immigration will not weaken the far right nor strengthen social democracy. If your reaction is "but in Denmark" please at least familiarize yourself with Danish politics www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comThe ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas MuddeThis week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde 18547254