Date: 27-28 March
Location: Campus Borlänge, Dalarna University
More information about Sweden’s most modern campus in central Borlänge
Europe’s horizon: navigating external threats and internal divides
As the war in Ukraine redefines Europe’s geopolitical realities, European countries face mounting pressure to adopt unified stances on defense, economic sanctions, and humanitarian support. Europe’s role in the world is further called into question by the war between Israel and Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran and the challenges this poses for EU unity in its foreign policy. Meanwhile, the polarized political climate in the United States in the wake of the presidential and congressional elections 2024, raises questions for transatlantic relations, with potentially significant implications for European security and the global democratic order. In addition to these geopolitical concerns, Europe is experiencing climate-driven challenges, as extreme weather events – from devastating wildfires to severe flooding – underscore the urgency for cohesive, cross-border climate policies. Against this backdrop, Europe must also grapple with internal divergences, as varying national priorities, economic policies, and stances on immigration highlight divisions that threaten the cohesion of the EU. At this critical juncture, Europe is presented with both challenges and opportunities to reaffirm its role as a beacon of democracy and resilience.
Under the title Europe’s horizon: navigating external threats and internal divides the SNES Spring Conference 2025 brings together junior and senior scholars in the field of EU and European political studies. The organizing committee welcomes papers addressing dimensions of European politics relating, in a broad sense, to this substantive title.
Key-Note Speaker
Tapio Raunio, Professor of political science at Tampere University
Tapio’s keynote is titled “Changing patterns of party-political contestation and the future of European integration”.
Tapio Raunio is professor of political science at Tampere University. His research interests cover legislatures and political parties, the European Union, executives, semi-presidentialism, foreign and security policy decision-making, and the Finnish political system. Recent publications include the books Semi-Presidential Policy-Making in Europe: Executive Coordination and Political Leadership (2020, co-authored with Thomas Sedelius) and Transnational Parties and Advocacy in European Integration (2024, co-authored with Karl Magnus Johansson). His publications have appeared in journals such as the European Journal of Political Research, Foreign Policy Analysis, Journal of Common Market Studies, Journal of European Public Policy, Party Politics, and West European Politics.
