The Popularity of Populism
Commentary
Sweden held a general election for its legislature, the Riksdag, on Sept. 11. Unexpectedly, the election was won by a centre-right coalition, which includes the right-wing Sweden Democrats.
The Sweden Democrats—a small fringe party in the early part of this century—rose to prominence during the last couple of years because of its anti-immigration stance and opposition to changing ethnic demographics. It has been argued that the policies of the Sweden Democrats are rooted in Nazism—a view cultivated by its opponents—and that the party is a Eurosceptic populist grouping.
The Swedish development has been replicated by the election victory of Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party in the Italian elections held on Sept. 25. Meloni’s party has been portrayed in the media as a neo-fascist party opposing the EU’s immigration policies, favouring traditional family values, and stressing the Christian roots of Western civilisation….