In person icon Transforming Party Politics in Southern Europe: Leadership, Organization, and Democracy

Abstract

Southern European political parties have undergone significant transformations in recent decades, navigating the challenges of economic crises, shifts in voter behavior, and the rise of populist actors. These changes have reshaped party systems in the region, offering fertile ground for empirical inquiry into the organizational, strategic, and ideological dynamics of parties in Southern Europe. These transformations raise critical questions about how parties balance internal democracy, organizational coherence, and strategic imperatives in an era of heightened political volatility. This panel examines the evolving dynamics of political parties in contemporary Southern European democracies, focusing on leadership dynamics, intra-party power distribution, and organizational transformations. One key theme of the panel is the role of leadership in shaping party functioning and party performance. Leadership contests often reveal the tensions between ideological commitments and electoral pragmatism within parties. The analysis of how parties and their members navigate these competing pressures sheds light on broader debates about democratic responsiveness and strategic adaptation. Another focal point is the shifting balance of power within party organizations. This includes the redistribution of influence between grassroots members, central party elites, and elected representatives. These shifts are often reflective of broader trends, such as the decline of traditional membership-based party structures and the rise of leader-centric models. Exploring these patterns provides insights into the challenges parties face in maintaining legitimacy and organizational vitality. The panel also addresses how parties in Southern Europe are adapting their organizational models to respond to systemic crises and new political demands. Comparative perspectives highlight how established and emerging parties experiment with digital mobilization, flexible membership models, and networked decision-making structures. These innovations demonstrate both opportunities and limitations for reinvigorating party democracy while maintaining strategic coherence. By integrating these themes, the panel explores the interconnectedness of leadership dynamics, intra-party democracy, and organizational innovation. It contributes to key debates about the capacity of political parties to adapt to changing environments while preserving their role as vehicles of democratic representation. The discussion provides theoretical and empirical insights into the challenges of political parties in Southern European countries and their role in shaping democratic systems. This panel invites empirical studies employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the evolving nature of political parties in this region. We welcome contributions that investigate intra-party cohesion, leadership strategies, and the impact of external pressures such as economic crises, European integration, and digitalization. Studies focusing on traditional, populist, and newly emerging parties are equally encouraged. By bringing together diverse methodological perspectives and focusing on different contexts, this panel aims to deepen our understanding of the broader implications of party dynamics in Southern Europe in an era of deep political and social transformations.

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