The following is a press release kindly provided to us by MCC Brussels.
As Europeans head to the polls amid intensifying debates over migration, sovereignty, rising living costs, and the direction of the green agenda, MCC Brussels will host a timely and provocative book launch that goes to the heart of today’s political moment.
On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, leading sociologist and social commentator Frank Füredi will present his latest book, In Defence of Populism, in the central part of Brussels, Belgium (venue TBA) from 18:30–20:00 (registration from 18:00), followed by a reception.
At a time when populism dominates headlines—and divides opinion—this event brings together two of Europe’s most incisive voices for a dynamic, head-to-head exchange of ideas. Füredi will be joined by Matthew Karnitschnig, Editor-in-Chief of Euractiv and former Chief Europe Correspondent for POLITICO, for a conversation that promises insight, challenge, and intellectual energy rather than simple consensus.
As voters across Europe express growing concerns about border control, migration, cultural identity, and economic pressures, In Defence of Populism argues that these anxieties reflect a deeper demand: the desire for a meaningful democratic voice. Füredi challenges what he describes as a persistent ‘anti-populist propaganda war’, questioning whether dismissals of populism obscure a broader unease with popular sovereignty itself.
Described as ‘vital’ by Cambridge’s James Orr and ‘essential reading’ by political analyst Matthew Goodwin, the book offers a bold reassessment of one of the defining political forces of our time. It asks whether the continued portrayal of populist movements as irrational or extremist misses the point—and whether Europe’s political establishment is prepared to engage seriously with the concerns driving them.
The discussion comes in the wake of major shifts across Europe, including recent electoral developments in Hungary, raising fresh questions about the future trajectory of populist and national conservative movements-and their ability to evolve beyond their current base.
With Karnitschnig’s decades of experience covering Europe’s most consequential political and financial crises, audiences can expect a rigorous and engaging exchange that cuts through clichés and confronts the stakes of the current political climate.
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