Episode 1 - Winners and Losers

Misha Glenny explores a number of political divides facing Europe and asks whether the continent is undergoing the same crises it went through in the 1930s.

In this first episode, he investigates two countries that have elected ultra-conservative leaders over the last 15 years – Viktor Orban in Hungary in 2010 and Giorgia Meloni in Italy in 2022. Speaking to a range of voices from former politicians to academics, journalists and economists, Misha unpacks the importance of economic and social crises in their electoral success, whether it was the 2008 financial crash in Hungary or the Covid pandemic in Italy.

Episode 2 - Cities, Suburbs, Towns and Villages
Continental Divides
Misha Glenny explores urban-rural divides in Bulgaria, Poland and France.

In this second episode, he investigates three countries where rural decline and urban growth have fuelled political change,
First, Bulgaria, where the exodus from villages is driving a near existential problem in terms of national population. In Poland, he hears from the Mayor of Warsaw, who is hoping to ride Poland's growing young, urban and liberal voter base to the Presidency of the whole country. And in France, Misha digs into how both a historic vision of the countryside and the reality of France's declining "in between" places are playing into a new, far right vision for French politics.

Episode 3 - People Movers

In this third episode, he examines three countries where the politics of migration are driving sea changes.

First, Denmark, where the politically dominant centre left Social Democrats have lurched away from their traditional stance of openness, reaping political dividends while worrying economists. In Austria, the Freedom Party, a hardline far right party, has been stoking anti-migrant feeling and targeting broader changes that might upend the rule of law. And in Germany, the concerns of history repeating itself are felt sharply - but experts tell Misha that the legacy of the post war, and the division of Germany between East and West, is currently playing out in a unique way when it comes to rising hostility to migration.

Episode 4 - The Eastern Front

In this fourth episode, he explores how different European countries are dealing with the war in Ukraine.

First, in Serbia, a historic Russian ally is turning towards Europe - but not without political controversy. And in Sweden, politicians are plotting an uncertain future after long held principles of neutrality were finally abandoned in favour of NATO membership. Has Europe's role in NATO reached a crucial turning point?

Episode 5: Politics versus the Past

In this final episode, he explores the memory wars where extreme voices look to revise our understanding of past atrocities. In Spain, he hears from archaeologists on the front line of unearthing - literally - victims of Francoist repression. And historians in Croatia describe war crimes at a concentration camp run by Croatian fascists in WWII and explain how it has become an explosive political football.

Producer: Artemis Irvine
Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4