In spite of their electoral success, populist parties remain disconnected from other parties domestically and transnationally

The European Parliament elections in May 2014 saw a number of populist, far-right and Eurosceptic parties gain representation. Alexandre Afonso writes that despite their success, the majority of these parties remain disconnected from other parties at the national and European levels. Presenting a network of European parties, he illustrates that those on the Eurosceptic-right and radical-left are still largely isolated from mainstream politics and the parties of government.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Le Pen gathers allies for new far-right EP group / European elections: Nationalists look to build alliances http://www.europeansources.info/record/le-pen-gathers-allies-for-new-far-right-ep-group-european-elections-nationalists-look-to-build-alliances/

ESO: Background information: Eurosceptics make controversial return to EU Parliament http://www.europeansources.info/record/eurosceptics-make-controversial-return-to-eu-parliament/

ESO: Background information: UKIP's Farage forms new grouping in European Parliament / New EFD Group formed in the European Parliament. 'We will be the peoples’ voice' says UKIP Leader Nigel Farage http://www.europeansources.info/record/greens-reject-beppe-grillos-offer-to-team-up-ukips-farage-forms-new-grouping-in-european-parliament-new-efd-group-formed-in-the-european-parliament-we-will-be-the-peoples-voice-says/

ESO: Background information: Cameron's group challenges liberals as kingmakers in new Parliament http://www.europeansources.info/record/camerons-group-challenges-liberals-as-kingmakers-in-new-parliament-german-anti-euro-party-joins-tories-in-eu-parliament/

LSE EuroppBlog, 23.07.14: It would be dangerous to view modern European populism as a triumph of style over substance http://bit.ly/1rAYa8s

---