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
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