Daniele Albertazzi Quoted in The Financial Times

On 24th January 2022 the Populism in Action Project’s Principal Investigator Prof. Daniele Albertazzi was quoted in an article by The Financial Times‘ Amy Kazmin, Davide Ghiglione, Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli and Ben Hall.

The article entitled “The Draghi dilemma: Italian presidential election risks turbulence” explores considerations in the lead up to the Italian Presidential election which was decided on 30th January 2022.

Prof. Daniele Albertazzi said:

“The situation is going to become messy…”

To read the article in full visit The Financial Times website here

Stijn van Kessel Interviewed by the Illiberalism Studies Programme

Dr. Stijn van Kessel the Populism in Action Project’s Co-Investigator was recently interviewed by the Illiberalism Studies Programme at George Washington University.

In a wide ranging discussion Dr. van Kessel shared his insight into how the reality of Brexit has shaped the attitude of populist radical right parties on the European mainland, some of the reasons for the complexities and nuances in such parties attitudes towards the EU, how parties of the populist radical right have managed to relatively successfully negotiate taking on governing responsibilities, and much more.

You can read the interview in full on the Illiberalism Studies Programme website. 

Daniele Albertazzi Quoted in Bertelsmann Stiftung Update

In an update published by the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Isabell Hoffmann, Populism in Action’s Principal Investigator Prof. Daniele Albertazzi is quoted at length on his thoughts regarding the current Italian Presidential election.

He began by telling her that:

With Berlusconi, nothing is impossible, but I only gave it a small chance. So, my answer would be: no, Berlusconi did not have a realistic chance to become the next president of Italy. The reason for this is that a President Berlusconi was not even in the interest of the leaders of the right-wing coalition, his own political camp.

To read the interview in full, see the update on the Bertelsmann Stiftung website

 

Daniele Albertazzi Quoted in The Financial Times on Silvio Berlusconi Ending His Bid for the Italian Presidency

On the 23rd January 2022 Populism in Action’s Principal Investigator Prof. Daniele Albertazzi provided extensive insight to readers of The Financial Times in the article “Berlusconi abandons long-shot bid for Italian presidency” by Amy Kazmin.

Reflecting on Silvio Berlusconi’s decision to withdraw his candidacy for the Italian Presidency Prof. Albertazzi stated:

“[Berlusconi’s candidacy] was a hard sell and he has obviously come to the conclusion that it cannot be done…”

 

Commenting on the state of the wider race for the role, and the possibility of Prime Minister Mario Draghi being on contention for the role, Prof. Albertazzi said:

“He wouldn’t be there just to unveil monuments and make speeches — he would exert real influence… Many individuals in parliament worry that picking Draghi means having fresh elections in the spring and they absolutely want to avoid that.”

To read the full article visit The Financial Times website here.

Video Recording of “Right-Wing Populist Party Organisations in Europe: Of and For the People?”

On Tuesday 18th January 2022, the COGITATIO Press hosted an online webinar exploring the main findings of the issue “Right-Wing Populist Party Organisation Across Europe: The Survival of the Mass-Party?”, published in their open access journal Politics and Governance.

Speakers:
Stijn van Kessel (Queen Mary University of London, UK)
Judith Sijstermans (University of Birmingham, UK)
Niko Hatakka (University of Birmingham, UK)

Discussant:
Paul Taggart (University of Sussex, UK)

The event was recorded and can now be watched here on Youtube.

Daniele Albertazzi Quoted in Reuters Article on Silvio Berlusconi’s Presidential Ambitions

On 14/01/22 Populism in Action’s Principal Investigator Prof. Daniele Albertazzi was quoted in the article “Italy’s Berlusconi mobilises media empire behind his presidential bid” by Reuter’s Gavin Jones.

Prof. Albertazzi reflecting on Berlusconi’s actions, said that:

“He wants to build momentum, it’s not strictly needed but he clearly thinks it can be useful…”

The article can be read in full here.

Daniele Albertazzi Interviewed by the Iliberalism Studies Programme

Prof. Daniele Albertazzi the Principal Investigator leading the Populism in Action Project was recently interviewed by the Iliberalism Studies Programme at George Washington University.

In a wide ranging discussion Prof. Albertazzi discussed the origins and orientation of diffrent strains of the populist radical right in Italy, how the populist radical right Swiss people’s Party has been quite successful at utilising the dynamics of the political system in Switzerland, how the COVID-19 pandemic has (for now) hindered the populist radical right in Europe, and much more.

You can read the interview in full on the Iliberalism Studies Programme website. 

Webinar: Right-Wing Populist Party Organisations in Europe: Of and For the People?

This free to attend webinar will analyse the main findings of the issue “Right-Wing Populist Party Organisation Across Europe: The Survival of the Mass-Party?”, published in the open access journal Politics and Governance.

Speakers:
Stijn van Kessel (Queen Mary University of London, UK)
Judith Sijstermans (University of Birmingham, UK)
Niko Hatakka (University of Birmingham, UK)

Discussant:
Paul Taggart (University of Sussex, UK)

Register here

If you do not receive a confirmation email with the link to access the event after the registration please contact communication@cogitatiopress.com

Event organised by the Politics and Governance journal.

Daniele Albertazzi Quoted in the Wall Street Journal

On 2nd January 2022 our Principal Investigator Prof. Daniele Albertazzi was quoted in the article “Italy’s Embattled Berlusconi Eyes the Presidency, His Biggest Prize Yet” written for The Wall Street Journal by Eric Sylvers.

Commenting on Silvio Berlusconi’s prospects Prof. Albertazzi reflected:

“I’m sceptical Berlusconi can pull this off, but it is very difficult to guess with him because he defies all predictions… However the race for the presidency goes, this won’t be the political end of Berlusconi, the end will come when Berlusconi is underground.”

Read the article in full here.