Euroviews. This year's European elections remain under the shadow of rising populism

The recent success of Donald Trump in the US presidential election and 2024 European election have illustrated the current wave of populism across the globe. Such rise of populism is fuelled by a powerful mix of socio-economic, cultural and political grievances.

In Europe, this has allowed populist parties from across the political spectrum to gain an even larger share of the seats in the new European Parliament, more generally reflecting the consolidation of populism in recent national elections.

The latest report of the European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS) examines the electoral performances of populist parties in the 2024 European elections. It offers a unique account of the diversity of populist parties in 26 EU member states (excluding Malta where no populist parties could be identified), with a focus on political dynamics, overall trends, and similarities and differences in the economic, social and political context of the European elections in the 27 EU member states.

Populist parties across the board have consolidated in the 2024 European elections, reflecting the increase in their number and geographical spread on the continent.

No less than 60 populist parties across 26 EU member states gained representation in the European Parliament in June 2024, as opposed to 40 populist parties in 22 EU countries in the 2019 election.

Overall, populist parties won a total 263 of the 720 seats — approximately 36%. Far-right parties such as the French RN and Italian Brothers of Italy scored the biggest win, while left-wing and centrist populists received comparatively less support.

Radical right-wing populists topped the polls in four countries (Austria, France, Hungary, and Italy). In another two countries (Bulgaria