---
title: "Terror’s electoral joker card"
description: "With an unstable public mood on both sides of the Atlantic, terrorism could prove a political wildcard in both the United States and in Europe in the months ahead."
date: "2016-03-14"
authors:
  - name: "Bruce Stokes"
    job_title: "Former Director, Global Economic Attitudes"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/bruce-stokes/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2016/03/14/terrors-electoral-joker-card/"
---

# Terror’s electoral joker card

*Special to [Politico](http://www.politico.eu/article/political-disruptor-for-2016-terror-united-states-germany-france-attack/)*

With an unstable public mood on both sides of the Atlantic, terrorism could prove a political wildcard in both the United States and in Europe in the months ahead. Public opinion data suggest that one or more terrorist incidents in 2016 could have a profound effect on the political debate, and become the defining issue of election campaigns on both continents.

*Read more at *[Politico](http://www.politico.eu/article/political-disruptor-for-2016-terror-united-states-germany-france-attack/)**