Unresolved demographic, economic and security challenges have led to the rise and success of populist political movements in Europe and beyond.
This panel brings together some of the leaders of parties which are viewed as ‘populist’ to discuss the reasons why their support base is growing and what practicable solutions they offer to the challenges on hand.
Listening to voters
Carla Ruocco, Italian MP and leading figure in the Five Star Movement, says that in this big period of change, it is important to listen to the citizens and their concerns.
When that does not happen: “It is imperative that there are movements which ask questions and offer solutions.”
Timo Soini, Finland’s Foreign Minister and Finn’s Party member, puts the blame at the feet of politicians and parties stuck in their ways and removed from the electorate.
Is the EU failing its people?
Roger Koeppel, publisher of Switzerland’s Die Weltwoche and an MP for the Swiss People’s Party, has seen these signs for a long time. He points to the 1990s when Switzerland was debating whether to join the EU. “The politicians were all for it,” he emphasises, "but the population were against it."
In many ways he feels that being part of the European Union is not necessarily conducive to this openness.
The institutional flaws in the EU are, as he explains, at the heart of people’s growing discontent.
Carla Ruocco agrees that while it is imperative to work together across Europe, the EU in its current shape does not offer the answers to the big questions voters are concerned about.
Is populism a good or bad label?
Timo Soini and UK Conservative MP Adam Holloway agree that the word populist should not be used pejoratively.
Holloway holds the view that the ‘elites’ have lost touch with the majority of the population and are “governing on their own behalf.”
Carla Ruocca agrees: “There is a very big distance. The old style politicians are very far from the people."
One reason, Holloway proposes, is that politicians don’t have enough exposure to the real world.
Timo Soini counters that they should make up for this by listening to the people.
Open to the world?
The panelists all express concern about immigration and the impact this has on the people they represent.
However, they also stress that they want their countries to be open for business and open to the world.
As Timo Soini says:”Finland is ready and able to compete in the global market.” He explains that, for example, Finland produces half the world’s icebreakers, and would therefore not like protectionist measures on any side to impact on its market.
Roger Koeppel summarises that people who want to come and work in Switzerland are welcome, but that welfare migration has to be avoided.