Pew Research Center has published a methodology classifying European political parties as populist, based on three distinct expert surveys. The approach relies on anti-elite ratings from the 2024 Chapel Hill Expert Survey, the 2023 Populism and Political Parties Expert Survey, and the 2023 PopuList. This framework provides a structured way to identify populist movements across the continent.
The classification matters because populist parties have gained influence in several European nations, affecting policy on issues like immigration and EU integration. By using multiple sources, Pew aims to reduce bias inherent in any single definition of populism. The methodology acknowledges that experts broadly agree on anti-elitism as a core trait, but definitions vary.
Concrete data from the surveys underpins the classification. The 2024 CHES provides anti-elite ratings; the 2023 POPPA offers expert assessments; and the 2023 PopuList catalogs known populist parties. No specific numerical results are provided in the appendix, only the methodological framework.
Researchers and analysts can use this classification to track populist trends over time. Future Pew reports may leverage this approach to analyze public opinion shifts in Europe. The appendix serves as a reference for understanding how parties are categorized in related studies.
The analysis relies on expert judgment rather than public opinion data, which may not capture grassroots populist sentiment. Some scholars argue that populism is better measured through voter behavior or party rhetoric.