Illiberalism in Europe

Abstract

Chair: Petra Guasti, Charles University, Czech Republic Speakers: Leonie de Jonge, University of Tübingen, Germany Larissa Böckmann, Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Andrej Zaslove, Department of Political Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Steven M. Van Hauwaert, ESPOL-LAB, Université catholique de Lille, France Illiberalism in Europe has emerged as a powerful force reshaping contemporary politics, challenging core principles of liberal democracy such as pluralism, minority rights, judicial independence, and the rule of law. While illiberalism often manifests in backlash against supranational institutions, gender equality, and civil society, it also operates within the institutional framework of liberal democracies. This panel explores the roots, variations, and consequences of illiberalism across Europe, tracing its ideological underpinnings, discursive strategies, and political impact. The discussion highlights the multiplicity of channels through which illiberalism advances: from parliamentary arenas to cultural production, and from supranational coordination to affective citizen engagement. Illiberal actors strategically exploit institutional platforms such as the European Parliament to perform antagonistic posturing, normalise radical discourses, and reframe exclusionary narratives as legitimate expressions of democratic will. These performances often fuse critiques of progressive elites with self-asserted cultural authority, mobilizing tropes of crisis, national decline, and moral decay. At the same time, illiberal imaginaries are sustained through symbolic and discursive capital, including literary and media works that re-signify national identity and reassert hierarchical social orders. Rather than relying solely on explicit authoritarianism, illiberalism frequently adopts the language of democratic representation to challenge liberal norms from within. It invokes “the people” against pluralism, equates dissent with disloyalty, and offers emotionally resonant narratives that present liberalism as both corrupt and disconnected. These dynamics are not limited to isolated national cases but are increasingly embedded in transnational networks and ideational communities. The roundtable will examine how such developments affect institutions, policies, and the quality of democratic participation in Europe, offering comparative insights into how illiberalism reshapes the political landscape.