The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Central European Politics

Abstract

This panel explores the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on political dynamics in Central Europe, focusing on its influence on party politics, policymaking, civic activity, and populist attitudes. The first paper analyzes the involvement of political parties in protest movements in Poland during 2020, examining how the pandemic shaped their strategies and roles in collective actions. Following this, the second paper investigates different approaches to COVID-19 policymaking in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, emphasizing the role of expert groups, public attitudes, and populist movements in shaping governmental responses. A comparative analysis of civic activism in the Visegrad countries forms the third paper, assessing how pandemic-related restrictions impacted public participation and social movements. Lastly, the panel examines the relationship between populist attitudes and activism against COVID-19 measures in Croatia, revealing the complex interplay between various dimensions of populism and public dissent. Overall, this panel offers a comprehensive overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly shaped political landscapes in Central Europe, acting both as a catalyst for political mobilization and a test of governmental and societal resilience. It provides valuable insights into the evolving political dynamics in the region, highlighting the importance of understanding the interplay between health crises and political responses.

Title	Details
Protesting Parties in Poland, 2020	View Paper Details
COVID-19 Policymaking: The Influence of Mobilizations, Popular Attitudes and Expert Groups	View Paper Details
Civic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Visegrad countries	View Paper Details
There's less than meets the eye: populist attitudes and contention of COVID-19 measures in Croatia	View Paper Details