In Romania’s May 18 presidential rerun election, pro-Europe centrist Nicușor Dan defeated extreme-right populist George Simion. The liberal candidate may have prevailed, but all is not well with Romanian democracy. In a new Journal of Democracy online exclusive, Veronica Anghel asks, “How far can the leaders of democratic institutions go to protect the constitutional order without compromising their claim to represent the people?”
Romania is the latest example of rising far-right populism across Europe. The essays below examine the forces driving these illiberal political movements.
How the Far Right Almost Destroyed Romanian Democracy
Romania’s democracy just survived a near-death experience, but it may be more vulnerable going forward. How far can leaders go in defending democracy without compromising their claim to represent the people?
Veronica AnghelWhy Romania Just Canceled Its Presidential Election
The Romanian government is trying to guard against Russian election interference. But such a drastic, unexpected, and last-minute move risks undermining people’s faith in democracy.
Veronica AnghelEast-Central Europe: The Young and the Far-Right
Far-right parties in Europe’s newer democracies have been working hard to appeal to younger citizens, and for good reason: Young people’s shifting values make them a ripe target for the far right.
Laura JakliIn Europe, Democracy Erodes from the Right
When ordinary voters are given a choice between democracy and partisan loyalty, who will put democracy first? Frighteningly, Europe harbors a deep reservoir of authoritarian potential.
Milan W. Svolik, Elena Avramovska, Johanna Lutz, and Filip MilačićWho Decides What Is Democratic?
The “crisis” of democracy is a crisis of representation. New parties, some of which are populist in troublingly illiberal ways, are arising from this moment. The danger that they pose is not that they are antidemocratic, but that they are antiliberal.
Adam PrzeworskiThe Populist Challenge to Liberal Democracy
Across the West, economic, demographic, and cultural shifts have spurred the rise of populists who embrace majoritarianism and popular sovereignty while showing little commitment to constitutionalism and individual liberty.
William A. Galston
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