Based on the latest research and empirical evidence, this session will examine the current political landscapes in Europe and the US, and will consider the prospects for left-wing and progressive governments in these arenas. The pandemic has shifted many of the key priorities of centre-left politicians given the dramatically increased role of the state in people’s lives, and this session will provide an overview of what leaders need to do to restart the economy and will assess if any opportunities exist in the post-pandemic context to make societies more equal and fair. Through a mixture of academic, practical and political analyses, this session will also feature some of the latest public opinion data.