The Integration of Populist Parties in Europe

Mattia Zulianello illustrates how the integration of populist parties in the political systems of most European countries is ‘the new normal’, meaning that populist parties are key players in the coalition game and are also required to give life to governmental majorities. Then, bringing much-needed conceptual clarity, Zulianello explains what differentiates populist parties from anti-establishment, challenger and outsider parties. Going beyond left and right populism, he then introduces the concept of valence populist parties: these are parties that focus mainly on non-positional issues, such as competence, moral integrity, democratic reform, and corruption. Finally, Zulianello discusses the implications of the fact that in most party systems, populist parties have crossed the threshold of legitimation.