Vlad Surdea-Hernea
Populist rhetoric is no longer confined to the fringes — it’s shaping mainstream political strategies across Europe. Vlad Surdea-Hernea argues that leadership transitions function as hidden catalysts, driving moderate parties to embrace anti-elite and people-centric narratives. These shifts redefine party identities but also ripple through political systems, altering the tone and content of public debate Read more
Camil Ungureanu
Camil Ungureanu and Delia Dumitrica examine the phenomenon of Diana Șoșoacă, Romania's far-right strongwoman leader and TikTok sensation. While the populist right tends to champion traditional gender roles, Șoșoacă is crafting fresh gender narratives that resonate with female voters, Read more
Jacob Wentz
Jacob Wentz analyses populist rhetoric and communication strategies in the election campaigns of Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders adopt similar approaches, criticising traditional media, personalising politics, and using language that marginalises immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. We should not, he argues, underestimate the power of their rhetoric. Read more
Jan Philipp Thomeczek
Jan Philipp Thomeczek argues that European left-wing populist parties become more moderate as a consequence of their participation in government. Here, he draws on recent examples from Spain, Greece and Germany. Read more
Diogo Vieira Ferreira
The radical-right Chega party enjoyed a sharp rise in support during Portugal's recent parliamentary elections. With European elections coming up in June, Diogo Vieira Ferreira warns that support for Chega is likely to grow yet further Read more
Mauricio I. Dussauge-Laguna
Little by little, scholarship on populism and public policy and administration has shown that populists in government cause significant damage to government institutions and policy processes. Mauricio I. Dussauge-Laguna argues that Mexico’s experience under president López Obrador reinforces these findings and adds fresh (if discouraging) evidence to the argument Read more
Giulia Sbaraini Fontes
Populists threaten press freedom and, frequently, democracy itself. Giulia Sbaraini Fontes suggests that while news outlets may have a toxic relationship with these politicians, they also harvest immediate commercial benefits themselves, and jeopardise journalism’s credibility and legitimacy Read more
Adrian Favero
Adrian Favero explores the claim that populist leaders are generally charismatic and invaluable for the functioning of 'their' parties. 'Charismatic leadership', he says, is not well conceptualised, nor are leaders unreservedly seen as charismatic by their followers despite being helpful for populist parties’ success Read more
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