The political landscape of the European Union is likely to see a significant shakeup when EU citizens elect a new European Parliament in May 2019. In light of tune with political developments in several large EU countries, the previous dominance of the conservative (EPP) and socialist (S&D) parties is likely to be replaced by new configurations in the post-Brexit assembly. Emboldened by their success at national levels, Eurosceptic and anti-EU parties are set to have a larger representation – a development, that could further paralyze the EU system. The panelists will discuss the possible outcomes of the EP elections and analyze specific domestic contexts in Germany and Poland as they relate to the polls and the looming election campaigns. They will highlight German and Polish views on front-runner candidates (‘Spitzenkandidaten’). They will also focus on the particular situation of Poland, as it remains open to which political group the ruling Law and Justice party will belong in the new EP, and what election rules will be in place for the May 2019 vote.
Speakers:
Nicolai von Ondarza
Head of Research Division, EU/Europe, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), Berlin
Konrad Popławski
Senior Researcher, Center for Eastern Studies (OSW), Warsaw
Milan Nič
Senior Fellow, Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia, DGAP, Berlin
Chair:
Silke Mülherr
Head of Foreign Desk, Die Welt
This event is co-organized by the DGAP’s Robert Bosch-Center and the Warsaw-based Freedom Institute (Instytut Wolnosci). It will be held in English.
