Resurgence of Populism in Southern Europe as a Challenge to Liberal Democratic Regimes: Case of Italy and Greece

This paper aims to compare main political changes and mutations of party and political system which occurred in Italy and Greece during the economic and political crisis, since the comparison of these two countries reveals many similarities, as well as important differences. Even though we observed a rise of populism in both countries, its impact on the political system and institutions differed in certain perspectives. The paper will compare these variables according to four principles of populism by Albertazzi and McDonnell. These principles consist of the role of the leader in the success of populist ideas, openness of the political environment to new populist movements, particular opportunity structures helping to the development of populism and strategies of mainstream parties in reaction to the populist rhetoric. This analysis could explain how and to what extent there exist a correlation between the depth of the crisis and the success of populist movements.