From TV to Parliament: Populism and Communication in the Romanian 2012 Elections

Abstract

Since the early 90s populism has been a regular component of Romanian politics. Over time, several populist parties gained representation, but their success was on the short-term. In 2012, the combination of charismatic leadership and intense mediatisation – primarily through leader’s business, a TV station – guaranteed the electoral success of a newly emerged populist party. In the absence of organizational and ideological roots, the party evolved around the figure of its leader, thus developing in an illustrative case of Caesaro-partism. Due to the resilience of its features such a model may prove feasible for medium or long-term electoral performances.