This transatlantic Round Table Discussion examined the Democratic Party’s path to reclaiming Congress and what a majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives would mean for the transatlantic relations. Insights came from Lindsay Mark Lewis, CEO, Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), Washington DC, Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook, Executive Vice President, Bertelsmann Foundation, and Henning Meyer, Deputy Chair, SPD Commission for Fundamental Values.
The discussion began with a sobering reality check: the transatlantic relationship has shifted permanently. Even if the Democrats recapture the House, there will be no return to the old status quo. This is driven by an imminent generational shift within the Democratic Party. This new generation lacks traditional historical ties to Europe and will likely continue putting US economic interests over a collaboration with European allies.
Key strategic shifts identified included:
- Affordability over Climate: A growing tension was identified between the “Green New Deal” and the immediate cost of living. In the current climate, affordability now outranks climate change on the voter agenda. As one participant put it, the new generation is more concerned with how energy costs affect their families today than with long-term climate goals.
- AI and the Future of Labour: A stark contrast emerged between US and European progressives regarding technology. While US voters generally view AI as an engine for growth and innovation, European partners are more concerned with the risk of “Technofascism” – a society governed by algorithms rather than a coherent citizenry.
- From Logos to Pathos: A central critique of current progressive governance was the reliance on “transactional politics.” It was argued that progressives often act as “plumbers of the status quo,” focusing on minor cost adjustments (Logos) while populists successfully capture the public imagination through emotional narratives (Pathos). To win, progressives must move beyond being mere “problem solvers” and become architects of a future project that offers genuine orientation.
The session concluded with a call for Democrats – and their European counterparts – to be more “ruthless” in championing policy successes. Whether it is reindustrialisation or data-driven policy wins, progressives must offer a blueprint for the future that acknowledges the deep pain felt by the working class while reclaiming the “American Dream” from populist rhetoric.
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