
Dr. Lars-André Richter
Project Director Central Europe and the Baltic States
Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit
The 2024 European elections were characterised by a high voter turnout and intense political debates. Despite the rise of extreme right-wing and left-wing parties, the political centre was able to maintain its position. This ensures the continuation of European integration, the protection of democratic values and increased defence cooperation. A clear signal to the world: the EU remains a stable and unified force.
Presidential elections in Slovakia: after none of the candidates achieved the required absolute majority in the first round on 23 March, the two best-placed candidates, government-backed Peter Pellegrini and opposition candidate Ivan Korčok, will go into the run-off at the beginning of April. If Pellegrini wins, Moscow will have another bridgehead in the EU.
The fateful elections in Poland on 15 October marked a historic turning point. The long queues in front of the polling stations showed that the citizens longed for change. The national-conservative PiS suffered heavy losses and the pro-European opposition gained force. A new government coalition of KO, Third Way and the left-wing party Nowa Lewica could put the country back on a European course. Despite the challenges, there is hope for a new, democratic and united Poland.