Abstract
The concept of populism in the European context has been traditionally connected to radical-right parties and movements. This situation has changed recently.
With the advent of the economic crisis, neo-liberal encroachment and growing awareness of democratic deficit, a new form of progressive political parties and movements under the heading of ""left-wing populism"" has emerged. Those usually included under this label are political parties and coalitions like Greek SYRIZA, French Front de Gauche and recently also Spanish Podemos.
However, in our opinion, the lineaments of the leftist version of populism are not clear and scholars of populism have been unable so far to produce a satisfactory definition. This paper attempts to fill this lacuna.