The Merger of the PDS and WASG: From Eastern German Regional Party to National Radical Left Party?

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Olsen
Keyword(s):  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
A.V. KUZNETSOVA ◽  

The purpose of this article is to trace the development and interaction of protest movements and radical left parties in Greece in 2008-2019. The beginning of the 21st century was marked by an outburst of social protest actions in a number of Western European countries, on the background of which left-wing radical parties strengthened and achieved certain electoral successes. The Greek SYRIZA became a vivid example of such a successful development, confirming the relevance of the study of left-wing radical movements and parties. The research methodology is based on the analysis of the transformation of SYRIZA's political rhetoric from the moment of its inception and after coming to power. Research results: firstly, the global financial crisis paved the way for SYRIZA's success in forming the first parliamentary coalition, in which the radical left party was the senior partner. Secondly, SYRIZA was successful through its productive collaboration with social movements, adapting its programming to meet the needs identified by protesters. Thirdly, despite its left-wing radical rhetoric, especially at the early stage of its existence, SYRIZA was able to adapt to the existing political system. Such a transformation of SYRIZA after coming to power demonstrates its desire not to destroy, but to rebuild the political system.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135406882110389
Author(s):  
Sarah Wagner

The European Union has gained salience as an issue in political debate. Recent literature shows that successful radical right-wing parties are frequently in opposition to European integration. This article looks at how radical left-wing parties’ positions on EU integration affect their electoral support. It argues that radical left parties can mobilize voters in their favour through positioning in opposition to EU integration because this allows voters to combine their left-wing economic and anti-EU preferences. Using expert and individual-level survey data, this research demonstrates that radical left-wing parties that position themselves against EU integration are more likely to gain individuals’ vote choice. This finding is surprising, given that traditionally radical left-wing parties are defined through their economic, rather than their non-economic, positions. This article demonstrates that variation in positioning around non-economic issues such as EU integration can explain differences in voter support across radical left-wing parties.


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