Left Populism and the Political Legacy of Eurocommunism

Abstract

Contemporary left-populist parties are often referred to as the 'new left', which emerged as a response to the crisis of democracy and neoliberal reforms. At the same time, parties on this ideological spectrum often reproduce the political strategy of twentieth-century Eurocommunist parties. An analysis of left-wing populism sets out to examine the differences between the "right-wing" and "left-wing" versions of populism. Based on the political declarations of twentieth-century Eurocommunist parties and contemporary radical left-wing movements, a comparative analysis of the discursive strategies of European left-wing parties at different stages of their development is undertaken. The article analyses the key ideological and programmatic positions of left-wing populism and the impact of Eurocommunism on the current political strategy of contemporary left-wing populist parties in Europe. The article also attempts to forecast the development of left populist parties in the light of their political practices.