One-in-three European voters now support an authoritarian or populist party, new research reveals

Recent research indicates a significant rise in voter support for authoritarian and populist parties across Europe, with Germany experiencing the most notable increase. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) garnered over 20% of votes in the last national election, while radical left parties collectively received 13.8%. The Authoritarian Populism Index, released by EPICenter and Timbro, analyzes election results from 31 countries since 1946. Experts attribute the rise of populism to mainstream parties' failure to address contemporary issues and a growing distrust in elites. Populist parties, often eurosceptic and culturally conservative, have gained traction, now holding seats in 11 European governments. Interestingly, Hungary saw a decline in populist support following recent elections.