The Europeanization of Populism: Syriza and the European Integration Debate in Crisis-ridden Greece

How do parties in government respond to EU-imposed constraints on their domestic agendas? This paper aims to explain change in electoral programs of populist parties following strong EU pressures for reforms. Using a top-down Europeanization research design (Exadaktylos and Radaelli 2012) the paper examines the change in policy development of Syriza in Greece. Conducting a content analysis of parliamentary speeches of Syriza MPs and government members during its first term in office (Jan-Sept 2015), the paper traces internal opposition, references to European integration, and policy reform to determine the Europeanization of populism, the level of blame-shifting and exclusivity and explain the alignment of a radical left-wing party with pro-EU and pro-Euro trends in Greek public opinion. Greece was forced to implement a tough austerity program after the collapse of its public finances in 2010 (Exadaktylos and Zahariadis 2014). In January 2015, Syriza advanced its domestic goal of winning the elections by presenting a populist platform of anti-austerity measures bringing the country in direct collision with the EU and a step closer to Grexit. Yet, this platform was never implemented and Syriza eventually ratified a third (tougher) bailout agreement despite strong internal opposition. Using Ladrech’s (2012) idea of connecting party organization with the impact on policy development, this paper examines the way Syriza managed to overcome internal divisions, change its policy platform to absorb EU pressures and mainstream populist anti-EU rhetoric, while promising to deliver the agreed reforms of the new bailout package.