NATIONALIST AND POPULIST PARTIES IN THE EU

Nationalist and populist parties are alive and kicking in Europe. Nationalist/populist parties (most, but not all, are from the far right) remain strong in Europe and could benefit from the current disarray in the European Union. Deep-rooted and popular concerns remain about illegal migration and the concentration of power in Brussels, compounded by poor governance in some European countries and disillusionment with traditional political parties. Economic problems continue in many European countries, as do concerns about globalization. 

Nationalist/populist parties are now represented in parliaments across Europe, including in the majors. In some countries, such as Poland and Hungary, they form government; in others, such as Austria, they are part of a governing coalition; and in others they tolerate minority governments. In all European countries nationalist/populist parties are reshaping the political environment and forcing traditional parties to confront the issues they raise, and to look for new coalitions.

Around one fifth of European voters, or 55.8 million people, now pick left- or right-wing populist parties.  

% Vote Share of Populist Parties (2018)

1. Hungary: 65.09%
2. Greece: 54.60%
3. Poland: 51.18%
4. Italy: 50.03%
5. Czech Republic: 49.60%
6. Cyprus: 35.38%
7. Slovakia: 34.34%
8. Estonia: 32.90%
9. Lithuania: 32.83%
10. Bulgaria: 32.65%
11. France: 27.09%
12. Austria: 26.00%
13. Finland: 24.78%
14. Netherlands: 22.20%
15. Germany: 21.98%
16. Spain: 21.15%
17. Denmark: 21.10%
18. Sweden: 18.58%
19. Ireland: 17.70%

Below 10%

1. Romania: 9.98%
2. Portugal: 9.38%
3. Slovenia: 8.20%
4. Latvia: 6.85%
5. Croatia: 6.49%
6. Luxembourg: 4.94%
7. Belgium: 4.09%
8. UK: 1.80%