CEDLA ROUNDTABLE: Turning (Far) Right? Populism and Electoral Cycles in Latin America
9 Oct 2026 | 15:00-17:00 | Amsterdam
This roundtable explores what the latest elections and outcomes mean for public policy, representation, democratic institutions and human rights. Drawing on recent developments in countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia, speakers will discuss common trends and differences in populism and electoral cycles, and reflect on possible futures for democracy in Latin America.
This year - which started with the US intervention in Venezuela - has seen presidential elections in Costa Rica, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia, and soon also in Brazil. Despite differences and often very tight margins, the latest results confirm the region’s political trend of the past few years: right-wing parties and far-right movements and politicians are on the rise. This raises questions about the nature, causes and effects of the latest regional political cycle.
While Latin America has often seen alternating phases of left‑wing and right‑wing governments, and alternation in power can be healthy for democracies, the rise of the (far) right has often been followed by policies that reduce public services, by conservative discourses targeting women, indigenous, black and/or queer people, and by setbacks in civil rights. More recently, the expansion of far-right populism has been fuelled by social media, fake news and support from foreign powers.
This roundtable will discuss electoral and political trends in Latin America, with particular attention to how recent elections reshape ideological conflicts, deepen political polarisation, and affect democracy. Each country expert will offer a brief presentation, followed by a general discussion with the audience on the region’s possible futures.
Speakers:
- Nayara Albrecht (Political Science, UvA
- Kees Koonings (CEDLA, UvA & UU)
- Nicolás Rodríguez Idarraga (CEDLA, UvA)
- Diego Salazar Morales (Leiden University)
- Soledad Valdivia Rivera (Leiden University)
- Julienne Weegels (CEDLA, UvA)
Details: CEDLA Events