ABSTRACT

THE ELECTORAL SUCCESS OF POPULIST PARTIES IN EUROPE. AN ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS USED IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN POLAND IN 2019

Populism represents a political phenomenon that is increasingly visible in our days. According to some political scientists such as Cass Mudde, the use of simple messages and rhetoric based on accusations against political opponents, along with the image of leaders perceived as people from the common population capable of representing the interests of the masses, have repeatedly led populist parties to victory in parliamentary elections in Europe. Building on these considerations, the paper analyses the electoral campaigns of three populist political formations in Poland during the 2019 parliamentary elections, based on three main elements selected through the analysis of specialized literature that explores the phenomenon in question. Firstly, it examines the type of political campaigns promoted by these formations, as well as the recurring topics found in their political programs. The second element focuses on the personalization of the campaign, respectively the image of the political leaders. The last point explores the impact of political campaigns on the opinions of voters.

Keywords: populism, political parties, electoral campaigns, parliamentary elections, Poland.

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