Political Parties in Central and Eastern Europe: Chaning the Game?

Abstract

The political landscape in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has shifted dramatically since communism's demise, with new political parties, movements, and ideologies altering democratic competition. Many of these actors are responding to a variety of sociopolitical concerns, including as persistent economic disparities, widespread perceptions of corruption, contentious identity politics, increasing nationalism, and the development of populist rhetoric. This panel looks at the dynamics of emerging political parties in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically how they innovate within their institutional environments, redefine programmatic appeals, and experiment with organizational forms that blur traditional party, movement, and leader-centric boundaries. It focuses on their mobilization techniques, both online and offline, their paths to electoral success and survival, and their overall impact on representation patterns, party system stability, and democratic quality.

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