Ivan Duque Marquez - Republic of Colombia
Bruno Reynaud de Sousa - University of Minho
Countries home to nearly half of the world’s population will vote for their government in 2024. Europe will see nine elections in this period, in addition to the upcoming European Parliamentary Elections in June, many of which will deliver significant governance and policy changes. This adds a unique challenge to what has been a period of ‘poly-crisis’, that is, a series of multiple and overlapping crises - which will become focal points in many countries' election rounds. Europeans must also watch carefully for changes to global dynamics and anticipate potentially dramatic shifts in foreign policy orientation following the 2024 US presidential elections. As well as the unique challenge of a transforming digital landscape. What will a 2024 Trump or Biden administration look like for Europe and its relationship with the US? Why are populist parties around the world increasingly able to advance in polls and shape mainstream policies? How will new and unknown variables such as artificial intelligence (AI) and its capacity to heighten the spread of misinformation impact the electoral landscape, particularly in the context of declining global trust? What will be the business and policy implications in this period of momentous voting, and what steps should the bloc take now to enhance its position in the world?