More than halfway through this year of momentous elections, liberal democratic parties have mostly managed to hold the line against the advance of the dark forces of nationalist populism in Europe.
Yet it is too early to declare victory for this firewall against the extreme right. The US presidential election could have destabilising knock-on effects in Europe and beyond if Donald Trump returns to the White House. On the other hand, a victory for the vice-president, Kamala Harris, who has restored the Democrats’ hopes of retaining power in just three weeks since President Biden pulled out of the race, could energise progressive forces around the world.
