Covid crisis : How right-wing populism instrumentalises fears in Europe

Welcome 

• Thomas Manz, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Paris Office

• Edouard Simon, Research Director, IRIS

Debate with 

• Axel Salheiser, Institut für Demokratie und Zivilgesellschaft, Jena, Germany 

• Anne-Cathrine Jungar, Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden  

• Jean-Yves Camus, Observatoire des radicalités politiques, Jean-Jaurès Fondation 

Chair : Pierre Plottu, independent journalist

The Covid 19 crisis has created uncertainty and fear among the population of many European countries. The restrictions on individual liberties, contacts and  curfews, the "lockdown" of large parts of the economy imposed by governments  to fight the pandemic, and the extension of executive powers in many places to  fight the pandemic were widely welcomed and accepted, especially at the  beginning of the crisis. However, as the restrictions continued for weeks on end, there were growing signs of a new rise in discontent and mistrust of governments; in some countries there were also protest actions. Moreover, false news and conspiracy theories have not remained without influence on public debate. 

Has this rise in discontent with governments and the circulation of conspiracy theories created a social climate from which right-wing populism could benefit? Are right-wing populist parties the profiteers of fear? And what dangers populist responses to the Covid pandemic pose to democracy? What challenges does their strategy of presenting themselves as defenders of freedom and fundamental rights pose? It is to these questions that we will devote our exchanges.