Continuity and Change after Authoritarian Rule

On the topic:
What happens when autocrats lose power? The fall of autocratic governments usually raises high expectations of democratic transformation. Yet political ruptures often produce ambiguous political trajectories. This event series explores why democratisation remains so difficult after regime change.

Monday, 2 February 2026 | Welcome & Keynote followed by a reception
18:30 (CET): Mass Protests and Regime Dynamics: Why Have Revolutionary Movements Achieved so Little over the Last Two Decades?

– Gianni Del Panta, Junior Assistant Professor in Political Science, University of Pavia

Moderation:
– Christian Hagemann, Executive Director of the SOG, Munich

Tuesday, 3 February 2026 | Roundtable Discussion
17:00 (CET): Inside the Transition: Insider Perspectives on Obstacles and Opportunities of Regime Change

– Ghia Nodia, Former Minister of Education and Science of Georgia (2008)
– Jovana Marović, Former Minister of European Affairs of Montenegro (2022)
– Nikola Dimitrov, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia (2017-2020)
– Božidar Djelić, Former Minister of Finance of Serbia (2001-2004)

Moderation:
– Claudia Laštro, Centre for Southeast European Studies, Graz