ARTICLE · 09 SEPTEMBER 2024

What's Driving Political Violence Risk In Europe?

WTW

Explore more from WTW

In this article we explore the drivers and trends of political violence in Europe and how polarization could impact organizations.

GlobalGovernment, Public Sector

In this article we explore the drivers and trends of political violence in Europe and how polarization could impact organizations.

Are assassinations politics?

Commentators were quick to link the May 2024 assassination attempt against Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico to rising political tensions in Europe; they made similar comments about the July 2024 assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump. "Political violence and polarization stalk Europe today, with ominous echoes of the past," wrote the New York Times, regarding the attempt on Fico's life.

Former Russian president Dmitri Medvedev drew a parallel between the attempt on Fico's life and the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which sparked World War I. "Ominous indications of brewing violence go well beyond the shooting of Mr. Fico," the Times concluded. "The attack on Fico should prompt reflection about what has brought Slovakia to this point," argued an editorialist in

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Post-AGNI Decision: What Does The Decision In PK And MK Tell Us?

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Mills & Reeve LLP

What The Proposed UK Budget Means For Defense Investment

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

From Classified Materials To Classified Adverts - National Security Scrutiny Over Gumtree's Personal Data

GlobalGovernment, Public Sector

Martyn’s Law: How Will It Impact The Hospitality And Events Sector? (Video)

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Martyn’s Law: How Will It Impact The Public Sector? (Video)

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Government, Public Sector
- Terrorism, Homeland Security & Defence
- Constitutional & Administrative Law

See more popular content from

Government, Public Sector

The EU Public Procurement Act: The Commission Proposes A European Preference Framework

On 9 September 2026, the European Commission (the “Commission”) presented its proposal for a new Public Procurement Act, a significant reform of the EU public procurement framework...

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Budget Tracker (2026)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer faces the formidable challenge of delivering his first Budget amid economic headwinds, geopolitical instability, and a wave of ambitious government promises. With GDP growth forecast at just 1.1%, inflation at 3.4%, and public sector net borrowing exceeding £115 billion, can he balance fiscal responsibility with pledges to avoid raising Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT while funding increased defence spending and social care reforms?

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Travers Smith LLP

Mind The Gap - Public Procurement Proceedings In The Energy Infrastructure Sector

Many of our clients are service providers and construction companies in the offshore energy business and they often participate in public tender proceedings.

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

Sanctions: Fortnightly Summary

The UK government has significantly expanded its sanctions framework targeting Russia, introducing measures against individuals and entities involved in military supply chains, energy sectors, cryptocurrency networks, and alleged human rights violations. These developments reflect an evolving enforcement landscape with new powers, increased scrutiny of sanctions evasion, and landmark legal clarifications affecting businesses operating in sanctioned jurisdictions.

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

BCL Solicitors LLP

Investing In Infrastructure: When Public Policy Meets Private Capital

Governments across the UK and Europe have announced ambitious infrastructure programmes they cannot fund alone, creating significant opportunities for private capital. As public authorities shift from subsidy-based models to regulatory reform, investors must navigate an increasingly complex web of concurrent regulatory regimes - from merger control and national security screening to data protection and PFI handback obligations - to successfully deploy capital in this evolving landscape.

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

Macfarlanes LLP

Sanctions Fortnightly Summary: Key UK And International Developments

BCL's latest sanctions round-up provides a comprehensive overview of recent UK and international developments in sanctions law, enforcement actions, and compliance requirements. This fortnightly summary examines new designations, licensing updates, and emerging trends that businesses and legal professionals need to monitor.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

BCL Solicitors LLP

The Economics Of Small Modular Reactors: A Primer For Investors And Policymakers

Other things being equal, an SMR should produce a unit of electricity at higher cost than a gigawatt-scale plant. That is the diseconomies of scale. Proponents accept the point but say other things are not equal.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Beyond The Battlefield: Private Equity, PPPs, And The Future Of UK Defence Infrastructure?

Capital and maintenance spending in defence infrastructure has frequently been delayed or cancelled in the recent past, largely as a result of budgetary pressure.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) And National Security Screening

Angela Gregson of Weightmans and Sean Ryan of Whitney Moore compare Ireland's new foreign direct investment screening regime with the UK's established National Security and Investment Act, examining when notification is required, key procedural differences, and practical steps to navigate both frameworks. The analysis draws on recent annual reports to reveal how these regimes are operating in practice and what reforms are on the horizon.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Challenging Ofcom Under The Online Safety Act: The Landscape Of Challenges And Enforcement Begins To Unfold

On 2 April 2025 we published our FAQs titled “How can a regulated provider challenge a decision by Ofcom under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA)?”.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP