The recent surge in populism across the globe, as seen with Donald Trump’s success in the US presidential election and the 2024 European elections, has led to a rightward shift in both rhetoric and policy. Populist parties from various ends of the political spectrum have gained traction in European elections, reflecting the consolidation of populism in national politics. The European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS) report highlights the electoral performance of populist parties in the 2024 European elections, showcasing the increase in the number and geographical spread of populist parties across the continent, with 60 populist parties gaining representation in the European Parliament.
Populist parties won approximately 36% of the total seats in the European Parliament, with far-right parties like the French RN and Italian Brothers of Italy scoring major victories. The rise of populism is fueled by a combination of socio-economic, cultural, and political grievances, with the impact of crises like the financial crisis, refugee crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and wars in Ukraine and Gaza providing opportunities for populist mobilization. Economic anxiety, cultural fears, and political resentment have been key drivers behind the popularity of populism in Europe, with radical right-wing populists capitalizing on issues like immigration, cultural change, environmental concerns, and geopolitical events.
In the 2024 European elections, populists have been divided on various issues, including the European Green Deal, the Israel-Hamas war, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The election results have been influenced by the national electoral cycle, with populists benefiting from political discontent in countries like Germany and France. Populist parties in government had varying success in the elections, with parties like Italy’s Brothers of Italy winning convincingly while others faced challenges for their roles in government. The new European Parliament reflects a rightward shift in its center of gravity, with an increased presence of populist actors, albeit divided among different groups.
Despite their differences, populist parties are increasingly being accepted in mainstream politics, as they modernize and moderate their positions while mainstream parties accommodate some of their ideas and policies. Populist parties are now focusing on reforming the EU from within rather than pushing for exits, signaling a shift in their approach to European integration. Moving forward, right-wing populist parties are expected to have a greater influence on the EU agenda, particularly on issues like migration, climate change, EU enlargement, and support for Ukraine. The current EP majority may be able to contain both the far right and the far left but an overall shift to the right in terms of rhetoric and policy is already underway.
