Much of the success of global populist movements, from Donald Trump to Viktor Orban, has arisen from their ability to present themselves as genuine, uncontaminated, “apolitical” voices of the “people”. They convince voters they are the silent majority – those dispossessed and alienated from a democratic system subverted by elites, technocrats and experts.

When exposed as just as corrupt as the elites they claim to oppose, it becomes critically important to throw themselves on the mercy of the people to re-legitimise their project. An election usually does the trick, reminding their opponents of their popularity with voters.

Marching in step, Nigel Farage and Marine Le Pen have responded with similar defiance to legal and political challenges to their dubious financial dealings. Never closer to power, the battle-hardened populist campaigners’ common, implausible, message is: “Done nothing wrong. Qui, moi? Let the people decide.” Call it the Michael Lowry gambit.

Last week both borrowed from Donald Trump’s playbook, throwing themselves on the mercy of the ultimate court, the voters. The leader of Reform UK is doing so in a manufactured byelection in Clacton, while the leader of France’s Rassemblement National (RN), who was barred from office by the court, has now been restored as her party’s 2027 presidential candidate. Both claim to be victims of the “establishment”.

Spain the winners but football the loser in worst........

© The Irish Times