The Impact of Central Europe’s Radical Right on EU Foreign Policy

Presentation

• Zsuzsanna Végh, Research Fellow, European University Viadrina, ReThink.CEE Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States 

Discussant

• Rosa Balfour, Director, Carnegie Europe

Moderation

• Daniel Hegedüs, Fellow for Central Europe, German Marshall Fund of the United States

Since their relative success in the 2019 European Parliament elections, radical right parties have gained leverage over EU policymaking and have a say in how the union presents itself as a player on the international scene. With an eye to recent efforts of Hungary’s Fidesz, Italy’s Lega and Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) to unite Eurosceptic and sovereigntist parties at the EU level, the radical right may see its influence increase further in the years to come. 

In their foreign policy positions, Central European radical right parties show considerable differences, whether in their approach to European integration, global threat perceptions, or relations with the United States, Russia, or China. These differences set limits to the extent to which the radical right can pull in the same direction. At the same time, considerable overlap exists especially among the most influential, somewhat softer Eurosceptics radical right parties.

Do radical right parties impact the EU’s ability to speak with one voice and its credibility in pursuing a value-based global order? What variables appear to influence the ability of radical right parties to influence EU foreign policy? What venues and policy strategies are being used by radical right parties to pursue their foreign policy preferences at EU level?  

The German Marshall Fund of the United States is pleased to invite you to the presentation and discussion of a new policy paper that examines the above key questions. This event is part of the ReThink.CEE Fellowship, which was established by the German Marshall Fund of the United States in 2018. As Central and Eastern Europe faces mounting challenges to its democracy, security, and prosperity, the ReThink.CEE Fellowship supports next-generation thinkers and activists to conduct original policy research, to offer fresh thinking and perspectives, and to shape effective responses by the transatlantic community.