European political leadership and the future of the continent have come under intense scrutiny following the publication of Las invasiones bárbaras, a new essay by journalist Claudi Pérez. In a wide-ranging discussion with fellow EL PAÍS journalists Andrea Rizzi and Amanda Mars, Pérez delivered a stark assessment of Europe’s trajectory, arguing that the continent’s current leadership is failing to respond effectively to an era defined by geopolitical instability, technological disruption, and democratic erosion.
Pérez, who has spent more than 25 years in journalism and works as EL PAÍS International correspondent and former deputy director, frames his book as both a reflection on the crises of the early 21st century and an attempt to resist excessive pessimism. Yet his analysis is deeply concerned with what he describes as a growing “political and economic contradiction” in the Western world, where democratic systems that promise equality coexist with economic structures that generate inequality. He links this tension to the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, which he sees as a turning point that fueled political anger and populist movements across Europe and beyond.
At the center of the debate is Pérez’s concept of “the barbarians within,” a metaphor he uses to describe a convergence of powerful actors shaping today’s global order. These include what he calls techno-feudal elites emerging from Silicon Valley, alongside populist leaders such as Donald Trump and Viktor Orbán, whose political strategies, he argues, thrive on resentment and polarization. According to Pérez, this combination has contributed to a harsher and more confrontational global political environment, replacing Europe’s traditional emphasis on soft power with a world increasingly defined by coercion and rivalry.
Amanda Mars, EL PAÍS correspondent for economic affairs and former director of Cinco Días, highlights how economic thinking about democracy and capitalism has evolved in response to these tensions. She notes that institutions once aligned with more radical free-market positions have moderated their views, recognizing that democratic stability has been a key driver of economic growth. However, she also points to the rise of political emotions and digital manipulation, arguing that populist movements have effectively learned to exploit digital platforms and social frustration in ways traditional institutions have failed to match.
Andrea Rizzi, EL PAÍS correspondent for global affairs, emphasizes the role of technology and communication platforms in amplifying these dynamics. He argues that discontent has been systematically harnessed and transformed into political capital by populist leaders who understand how to shape narratives in the digital age. This, he suggests, has created an asymmetry in democratic politics, where those committed to liberal democratic values have struggled to adapt to emotionally driven political communication.
Much of the discussion turns to the role of Europe in this evolving global order. Pérez acknowledges that the European Union has made significant adjustments in recent years, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. However, he insists that these responses are insufficient in the face of a world that is becoming more militarized, less cooperative, and increasingly dominated by geopolitical competition. He argues that Europe remains overly reliant on soft power, legal frameworks, and economic regulation, while other global actors are increasingly willing to use hard power and strategic coercion.
A central point of concern is European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Pérez offers a sharply critical view, arguing that her leadership, while effective during her first term, has become increasingly problematic. He contends that her current approach reflects a bureaucratic and cautious style shaped by German political culture, which is ill-suited to a world that demands faster and more decisive geopolitical action. In his view, this leadership style is contributing to Europe’s inability to assert itself on the global stage at a time of rising tensions between the United States, China, and Russia.
The debate also touches on Europe’s internal decision-making structure, with Pérez criticizing the EU’s reliance on unanimity and slow institutional processes. He suggests that reforms are needed to make the bloc more agile and politically coherent, warning that without deeper integration and faster decision-making, Europe risks falling behind in both technological and geopolitical competition. He points to shifting dynamics in countries such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Poland as examples of how external threats and geopolitical pressure are pushing parts of Europe toward greater unity and strategic urgency.
Technology emerges as another critical battleground in the discussion. Rizzi warns that Europe’s dependence on foreign digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence systems represents a growing vulnerability, not only in economic terms but also in democratic governance. He argues that technological platforms now play a central role in shaping political discourse and public perception, and that Europe’s lack of independent technological capacity could weaken its ability to defend its democratic model.
Throughout the conversation, the journalists return to a shared concern: the fragility of liberal democracy in an age of populism, technological acceleration, and geopolitical fragmentation. Pérez maintains a cautiously optimistic view, suggesting that democracies are inherently resilient but may first need to pass through a period of worsening instability. He argues that historical precedents show democratic systems often withstand crises, even if the path is turbulent.
In reflecting on the broader purpose of his book, Pérez describes it as a fragmented but intentional attempt to capture the complexity of the current era through anecdotes, cultural references, and historical parallels. He emphasizes that no single theory can fully explain the present moment, and that journalism itself must adapt to a more fragmented world by combining analysis with narrative and lived experience.
As noted in EL PAÍS, the discussion ultimately portrays Europe at a crossroads: pressured by external rivals, internal divisions, and rapid technological change. Whether the continent can develop the political cohesion and leadership required to navigate this landscape remains an open question, but the debate underscores a shared urgency among the journalists—that Europe must rethink not only its institutions, but also its political imagination in an era of profound transformation.
