Varieties of Left-Wing Populism in Southern and Northern Europe: Insights from a Discursive Perspective

SYRIZA’s recent ascendance to power in Greece one year ago, along with the impressive performance of its ‘sister parties’ in Spain and Portugal, brought renewed attention to the distinctive character of a new radical left party family in Southern Europe, one with strong populist characteristics. In our paper we start our analysis by focusing on what we consider the two most paradigmatic cases of this new left-wing (inclusionary) populism in Europe, namely SYRIZA and PODEMOS, putting the emphasis on their discourse. First, we chart their basic similarities and differences, to then proceed with a broader comparison of these parties to their counterparts in central and northern Europe (e.g. the Front de Gauche in France and the Socialist Party in the Netherlands). Through this comparison we aim to investigate the utility of relevant ideal types, which could help us understand the converging or diverging trajectories of these parties. Why do left-wing populist parties appear more successful in Southern Europe, while they seem rather stagnating or even retreating in Central and Northern Europe? What are the minimal discursive characteristics that put the two broader party groups further apart, and which are the similarities among them? How have these parties re-invented their ideologies and popular appeal through the incorporation of significant populist elements in their discourse and how did the crisis (of different severity and character in each country) affect the articulation of this new message? Through this comparison we aim to offer constructive insights both regarding the specificities and varieties of left-wing populism in Europe today, and also to illustrate the merits of an Essex School discursive method.