The Centre-Right – A Look at Conservative and Christian Democratic Parties Worldwide

• Editorial of the issue: “The Centre-Right”

  Across many European and international democracies, centre-right parties are facing increasing pressure from right-wing populist forces. Who is challenging Christian democratic and conservative parties across Europe and beyond – and how are they responding? International examples show that these challenges are diverse and cannot be addressed by simple strategies of either exclusion or accommodation alone. Centre-right parties tend to succeed when they develop a clear profile and offer convincing responses to societal challenges.

  by Caroline Kanter

• “We have our seismographs all around the world.”

  An Interview with Caroline Kanter

  Europe’s role in an increasingly unpredictable world is under scrutiny: Caroline Kanter, Head of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s European and International Cooperation Department, on changing transatlantic relations, the need for new partnerships, the EU’s geopolitical tasks, and the impact the Foundation can have through its global network. What geopolitical opportunities and risks does she identify for the EU, and how can Europe win back lost trust?

  by Sören Soika, Magdalena Falkner

• Reflections on How to Deal with Far-Right Parties in Europe

  Door Open or Door Closed?

  The rise of right-wing populist parties is fundamentally altering the political balance of power in Europe, confronting centre-right parties with the difficult question of how to respond. At the same time, it becomes clear that far-right parties differ significantly in their programmes and political positions — for instance regarding the EU, Russia, and the rule of law. Blanket strategies therefore fall short. What options remain for the political centre to remain politically viable under these conditions in the long term?

  by Sebastian Enskat, M.A.

• The Growing Success of Right-Wing Populists Is Exposing Democratic Deficits in Romania

  Crisis of Confidence and a Disoriented Centre

  The annulment of Romania’s 2024 presidential election and the rise of the right-wing populist AUR reflect a profound political and social crisis, in which historical wounds inflicted by the Securitate, current social tensions, and manipulative social media campaigns are inextricably intertwined. At the same time, societal fault lines and a politicised diaspora are shifting the balance of power ever further towards the fringes. What steps can traditional parties take to regain lost trust in the face of this gradual erosion of democracy?

  by Stefan Hofmann, Mihai Marc

• Latin America’s Party Landscape Shifts to the Right

  Polarisation, Populism, Pragmatism

  In Latin America, disillusionment with the political left and self-inflicted government crises have triggered a deep political shift. Conservative, libertarian, and right-wing populist forces are increasingly winning elections by emphasising security, economic reform, and a confrontational stance towards the elites. Yet is the region facing a lasting conservative turn, or merely the next swing of its political pendulum? And how can traditional centre-right parties remain competitive against their more radical rivals?

  by Henning Suhr

• Polarisation and the Political Centre in Japan

  How the Liberal Democratic Party Staged Its Comeback

  In Japan’s 2026 lower house elections, the Liberal Democratic Party secured a historic landslide victory, gaining an unprecedented parliamentary majority. By pivoting to a new right-conservative agenda under Sanae Takaichi and promising economic reform, the party successfully held its ground against populist rivals. But what does this triumph signify for the political centre, the rise of new right-wing movements, and the demands of the electorate?

  by Paul Linnarz

• The Challenges of Polarisation Facing the Conservative Side of South Korean Politics

  A Political K-Drama Stuck on Repeat

  South Korea is regarded as a stable democracy – yet social polarisation, economic pressure, and partisan power struggles are intensifying tensions within the country. The conservative camp in particular is facing a profound crisis of identity and leadership. What differences exist between the South Korean and German party systems – and what lessons can be drawn from them?

  by Henrik Braun

• South Africa’s Fragile Political Centre

  Between Polarisation and Populism

  South Africa’s political centre is searching for direction in the face of growing populism, social inequality, and a fracturing party landscape. While the Democratic Alliance has the potential to become a catch-all party, reaching voters across classic class and social divides, the question remains: what strategies are needed to secure a majority for centre-right parties?

  by Gregor Jaecke, Christoph Wiedenroth

• How Can Centre-Right Parties Hold Their Ground in Africa?

  A Look at the Democracy Union of Africa

  Amidst the withdrawal of Western partners, the growing influence of authoritarian powers, and the dominance of left-wing parties, Africa’s centre-right parties are searching for a new sense of direction. Despite repression and electoral manipulation, citizens – particularly Generation Z – relentlessly demand freedom, transparency, and political participation. For centre-right and conservative forces, this raises the pressing question of how to provide credible responses. What role does the Democracy Union of Africa play in this context, and does it possess the potential to revitalise the conservative camp?

  by Holger Dix, Henri Bohnet

• Morocco’s Political Centre in a Hybrid System

  Between Party Pluralism and Monarchical Influence

  Democratic institutions do exist in Morocco – yet political power remains heavily concentrated in the monarch’s hands. Caught between monarchical supremacy and the demands of ‘Generation Z 212’ for genuine participation, Morocco’s centre-right parties are attempting to assert themselves. How much influence do they truly wield? Can mainstream forces succeed in regaining the trust of the youth – and what is at stake in the 2026 parliamentary elections?

  by Steven Höfner