The entry of populist radical right parties into positions of power has generated anxious debate regarding the potential consequences for liberal democracy. Their activities in local government, however, have been largely overlooked. This comparative analysis of populist radical right-led local governments in Western Europe makes an important contribution to a crowded field through the study of so far uncharted terrain. Comparing cases in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland, Fred Paxton details the extent of ideological impact in local politics and the various restraints that are placed on their radicalism. Drawing from a wealth of new data, he explains the varying degree of radicalism with recourse to two principal factors: the constraints of the local government institutional setting and the national party leaders' strategies towards the local arena. This book broadens our understanding of populist radical right parties in Western Europe and the sub-national processes through which they are developing.

‘Fred Paxton’s nuanced analyses not only show that policy-making is a performative activity for the populist radical right, but also demonstrate that local politics is often a testing-ground for national parties to try out strategies and alliances.’

Sarah de Lange - Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam

‘Fred Paxton makes an important contribution to the study of a so far uncharted terrain - the effect populist radical right parties in local power have on local politics, and the effect acquiring local power has on these parties themselves.’

Hanspeter Kriesi - Department of Political and Social Sciences, European University Institute, Florence

‘Paxton has achieved the considerable feat of producing a sophisticated study on an original topic: the actions and impact of these parties in local government across Western Europe. His insightful analysis should be essential reading for those interested in understanding how populists adapt to power.’

Duncan McDonnell - Professor and ARC Future Fellow, Centre for Governance and Public Policy, Griffith University

‘Grounded in both specific and general party politics literature, and built upon a clever research design, Fred Paxton masterfully integrates the local level into the nationally dominated literature and raises major new opportunities and questions for future research. Truly groundbreaking!’

Cas Mudde - School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia