Europe's centre-left will recover unevenly

Significance

This is part of a wider crisis of legitimacy among centre-left parties in Europe. In many cases, they have been outflanked by more radical alternatives on the left and right, and they have failed to find answers to the challenges posed by populism, concerns about immigration and the rise of anti-globalisation sentiment.

Impacts

• The weakening of centre-left mainstream parties has contributed to political fragmentation, benefiting smaller parties.
• A perceived lack of difference between centre-left and centre-right parties has fuelled resentment and support for populist alternatives.
• In France, Emmanuel Macron is hoping his lack of party affiliation will carry him to the presidency as a 'radical centrist'.