On the march? Prospects for populism across Europe Speakers: Francisco José Contrera, Professor of Philosophy of Law, University of Seville Ulrike Guerot, Professor of European Policy, University of Bonn; founder, European Democracy Lab Ralph Schoellhamer, Assistant Professor in Political Science and Economics, Webster Vienna Private University, visiting fellow, MCC Sergio Velasco, political scientist, analyst and political commentator; founder, Filosofia Política The upcoming European Parliament elections have focused the minds of European elites. According to many polls, populist parties are set to deliver strong results. In response, there has been much handwringing about the renewed ‘threat’ of populism, and European leaders have sought to make ‘concessions’ to majority views on issues ranging from migration, agriculture and EU reform. But it seems as if many are minded to reject these attempts to ‘buy off’ voters. Farmers protests continue across the continent and polls show increasing exasperation with the failure to get to grips with migration. Will populism play a key role in upcoming elections and beyond? What issues promise to unite populists from very different corners of the continent? Is there anything to learn from the different populist forces in a variety of countries? Ultimately, is populist sentiment just a response to a variety of local issues, or does the populist moment reflect anything about the state of politics within European nations more generally?