Europe faces its biggest existential threat today, driven by external geopolitics among the US, China, and Russia and by the rise of right- and left-wing populists within European democracies.

Timothy Garton Ash warns that the liberal center is faltering and that political leaders must show emotional intelligence to counter a growing rift between urban elites and the broader population.

He argues that middle-ground parties should connect with ordinary voters by addressing tangible concerns like affordable housing and immigration controls.

Rather than banning populist parties like the AfD, he advocates a robust democracy built on an independent judiciary, a neutral civil service, and independent public broadcasters as essential checks and balances.

He emphasizes a strong public broadcaster, an independent judiciary, and education about history as core defenses against populism, advocating a concept of a 'wehrhafte Demokratie'.

Replacing leaders alone won’t resolve the underlying issues, and strategic political changes without addressing fundamentals could be misguided.

The proposed solution is for the EU to spearhead a new international alliance of democracies to defend liberal democratic values globally.

Conservative parties should avoid aligning with right-wing populists and uphold boundary lines against extremism established after 1945.

Europe should act as a central driver in forming and coordinating a coalition of like-minded democracies in response to perceived U.S. withdrawal and internal radicalization.

Garton Ash calls for more emotionally resonant liberal messaging to counter populist rhetoric and warns elites risk losing touch with a significant portion of society.

On Brexit, he envisions a future UK rejoining the EU under conditional terms, including euro adoption, and predicts a 2029 election outcome shaped by a pro-EU left versus right bloc.

He cautions that the liberal center is faltering and emphasizes the need for political leaders to exhibit emotional intelligence.