Populist parties have performed successfully at elections all across Europe in recent years. As a result, they govern in a number of EU member states, either by absolute majority or as part of a coalition. Current examples include Fidesz in Hungary, PiS in Poland, the Austrian FPÖ, the AfD in Germany and the ruling coalition of MoVimento 5 Stelle (M5S) and Lega in Italy. Populism is by no means a new phenomenon in Europe. However, the recent refugee crisis has allowed parties mainly from the right-wing policy spectrum to reach new levels of popularity. Many observers are eager to see how nationalist, populist and anti-European candidates will fare in the upcoming European elections.
Populism
Simple answers to complex questions
Colourful and controversial figures win EU parliament seats
With an intake that includes youthful idealists, weathered political survivors and former fascists, the European Parliament looks set to play host to a colourful array of lawmakers.
What is a European party?
European parliamentary groups are not fully-fledged parties, but loose federations of national movements, roughly organised by ideology.
European far-right alliance celebrates ‘new chapter’ in Milan
Italy's deputy premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has invited European nationalist and far-right parties to a rally in Milan before the European Parliament elections, to discuss a potential alliance.
The street: Expanding arena in Europe’s political battle
European governments from across the political spectrum have in the last months found themselves increasingly challenged on the streets by popular protest movements
Eurosceptic and populist forces in the European Union
European voters go to the polls from May 23-26 to choose a new parliament with many fearing that eurosceptics and populist will deal a new blow to the EU.
Spanish election: Five things to know
A third general election in less than four years, the emergence of the far-right, the Catalan crisis... Here are five things to know about Spain's early polls taking place on Sunday.