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
Italy’s political crisis: the scenarios
Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is ready to resign, bringing down the bickering coalition government and potentially forcing a snap election
Salvini could take Italy out of EU, former PM warns
Matteo Salvini, who has plunged Italy into turmoil by pulling out of the coalition government, could eventually take the country out of the EU, a former prime minister has warned
Italy’s political crisis: what happens next?
What happens next with Italy's fragile coalition government after Matteo Salvini sparked a political crisis by calling for snap elections
Salvini ambush sparks Italy political crisis
Italy is plunged into political uncertainty after Interior Minister Matteo Salvini calls for snap elections while parliament is on summer recess
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.