On 16 April 2026, REDIRECT hosted Prof. Stefano Braghiroli (University of Tartu) for a seminar held within the Course of Global Comparative Politics. The presentation focused on Russian-friendly political parties in Europe and examined the dynamics and patterns of adaptation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The seminar explored how parties and political actors across Europe have adjusted their narratives, strategies, and policy positioning in response to the war. As suggested by the presentation, these processes have not unfolded uniformly across the continent, but have instead reflected different national political landscapes, party systems, and public debates. Particular attention was given to the way pro-Russian or Russia-accommodating discourses have been reframed, moderated, or repackaged in the post-2022 context.
The discussion also highlighted how certain narratives have circulated across countries and political arenas, including the growing appeal of “peace at all costs” frames and the challenges these pose for mainstream democratic actors. In this sense, the seminar offered an important opportunity to reflect on how political contagion works across Europe, and on the broader consequences for democratic competition, representation, and responses to the war in Ukraine.
Overall, the event provided a timely and thought-provoking contribution to ongoing debates on party politics, foreign policy narratives, and the resilience of European democracies in times of geopolitical crisis.
Date: 16 April 2026
Event: REDIRECT Seminar
Speaker: Prof. Stefano Braghiroli (University of Tartu)
Context: Course of Global Comparative Politics
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