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Do radical right parties in opposition influence coalition government policy?

Political Parties /

Radical right parties such as Germany’s AfD, Denmark’s Folkeparti, or Austria’s FPÖ are gaining influence across Europe. But what impact do they actually have on policy when they are in opposition? A new study by Fabio Ellger and Heike Klüver finds that coalition governments significantly shift their positions on immigration policy toward restriction as soon as far-right parties are represented in parliament.

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Does homophobia win elections?

Elections and Voting Behavior /

Far-right and illiberal leaders around the world increasingly turn to anti-LGBTQ rhetoric as a political tool. A new study by Violeta I. Haas, Konstantin Bogatyrev, Tarik Abou-Chadi, Heike Klüver and Lukas F. Stötzer shows that this strategy can yield direct electoral benefits. Examining Poland’s widely discussed so-called “LGBT-free zones”, the authors provide causal evidence that symbolic attacks on minority rights can shift voter turnout in ways that strengthen governing parties.

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Beitragsbild mit Text: Eat the rich

Perceived inequality as fertile ground for populism

Populism /

Why are more and more people turning to populist parties? A new study by Lukas F. Stoetzer, Johannes Giesecke, and Heike Klüver shows that not only actual social inequality matters, but also how unequal people perceive their society to be. Those who believe that wealth and influence are concentrated in the hands of a few are more likely to develop populist attitudes—regardless of how strong objective inequality actually is.

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EU-Flaggen

Has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed Europeans’ attitudes toward the EU?

Trust in Government /

Russia’s war in Ukraine has sparked a rise in support for the European Union across member states. A new study based on representative EU-wide data shows: approval of the EU increased noticeably after the invasion – with citizens seeing the Union more as a symbol of stability and security. While the rallying effect was widespread, the shift in attitudes varied: politically left-leaning individuals, in particular, responded with more skepticism.

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Can social media influencers affect elections?

Elections and Voting Behavior /

They share tips on fashion, nutrition and lifestyle, reach millions of followers and are key opinion leaders of their generation – but social media influencers are also increasingly getting involved in politics. Whether on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or Twitter, influencers are increasingly taking a public stance on political issues such as climate protection, gender equality or the coronavirus pandemic. But can they even influence election results?

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