Seven Party Families · 1946-2026
Ideological trends
Most political parties belong to a handful of party families — liberals, conservatives, social democrats, greens. Parties within a family share an ideological heritage, occupy similar positions in their party systems, and tend to align on a wide range of issues.
That continuity matters to voters: studies consistently show voters align closely with the ideology of the parties they support. Below, the eighty-year trajectory of each family — where unique circumstances explain single elections, common circumstances explain the long-term trends.
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Family 2 of 7
Liberal Conservatives
The predominant centre-right in most countries: conservatism that gradually absorbed liberal ideas from the 1970s onward.
PEAK
21.9%
2011
2026
17.1%
up from 16.2% in 2025
TREND
↓ Down 5 points
since 2011, possible reversal since 2025
History
Conservatism was originally conceived in opposition to liberalism. From the 1970s, conservative parties began incorporating liberal ideas — first economic, later social. Support peaked at above 20% around 2010. It lost roughly five points over the following 15 years, though the last two years suggest a possible reversal; in 2026 it stands at 17.1%.
Where it's strong now
Strongest support today:
Croatia
Greece
Spain
Portugal
Hungary
Since 2024: largest gains in Hungary, Slovenia and Portugal; largest falls in Latvia, Bulgaria, Norway and Czechia.
Family 3 of 7
Christian Democrats
The post-war giants of Germany, Italy, Austria and the Benelux, in decline since the 1970s.
PEAK
21.4%
1958
2026
6.5%
record low 6.3% in 2024
TREND
↓ Declining
since the 1970s
History
Christian democratic parties dominated politics in the initial post-war decades, peaking in 1958 at 21.4%. Their electoral fortunes began to decline in the 1970s, a trend that has persisted ever since. In several countries the primary centre-right parties now function as broad coalitions of conservatism, Christian democracy and liberalism, exemplified by the European People's Party. Average support has fallen to around 6.5% in 2026, with measurable support in only 13 of the 31 countries.
Where it's strong now
Support above ten per cent survives where the family historically thrived:
Malta
Luxembourg
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Netherlands
Since 2024: gains in Germany, Malta and Slovenia; largest fall in the Netherlands.
Family 4 of 7
Liberals
The centre of every democracy, and still close to its record high.
PEAK
12.3%
2022-23, all-time high
2026
11.5%
TREND
↓ Slight decline
since 2023, still close to record
History
Liberal parties have been a fixture in all democracies, typically positioned between socialists and conservatives and able to work with both. Support hovered between seven and ten per cent for decades, dipped below seven in 2009–2010, then recovered to a record 12.3% in 2022 and 2023. In 2026, liberal parties attract 11.5%, a modest decline.
Where it's strong now
Driven by the Baltic states, Central and Southern Europe. Strongest today in:
Estonia (over 44%)
Slovenia
Slovakia
Belgium
Switzerland
France
Since 2024: largest gains in the Netherlands, Denmark and Cyprus; largest falls in Slovenia, Germany and Czechia.
Family 5 of 7
Greens
A 1980s West European arrival, still near historic highs and still struggling east of the old Iron Curtain.
PEAK
4.3%
2021, all-time high
2026
3.8%
down from 4.3% in 2021
PARLIAMENTS
over 5%
in 11 of 31 countries
History
Green parties emerged within most West European party systems during the 1980s, marking a significant shift in political dynamics. Average support peaked in 2021. In 2026, Greens attract an average of 3.8%, around their pre-refugee-crisis level.
Where it's strong now
The initial strongholds continue to show robust support:
Netherlands
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Belgium
Since 2024: small gains in Sweden and Norway; largest falls in Germany, the Netherlands and Cyprus. Croatia and Romania are partial exceptions in post-communist Europe.
Family 6 of 7
Populist Left
From post-war surge to marginal force, with a modest uptick since 2024.
PEAK
12.9%
1946
LOW
4.4%
1993
2026
6.9%
6.5% in 2024
TREND
Modest uptick
since 2024
History
From the first post-war elections until the end of the Cold War, the left-wing challenger camp consisted mainly of communist parties, whose combined support remained remarkably stable. The collapse of communism triggered a sharp decline, and by the mid-1990s support had reached its lowest level of the post-war period. The 2008 financial crisis brought a partial recovery, driven by new left-wing populist parties in Southern Europe such as Syriza and Podemos, but it was modest and geographically concentrated. Support has risen slightly again since 2024, to 6.9% in 2026. In 13 of the 31 countries, the radical left won less than 1% of the vote in the latest election.
Where it's strong now
Radical-left support is strongest in:
Slovakia (38%)
Greece (31.5%)
Ireland (25.7%)
Cyprus (23.9%)
Germany
France
Spain
Family 7 of 7
Populist Right
The least consolidated family, and the one whose growth defines the index.
PEAK
21.3%
2025 — record high
2026
21.2%
TREND
↑ Rising
steadily since 1990
History
Support for radical-right challenger parties has risen steadily for more than three decades, peaking at 21.3% in 2025. For most of the post-war period the radical right consisted of small fascist and neo-fascist parties; since the 1990s they have been replaced by parties combining nationalism and populism. In 20 of the 31 countries, support for the radical right increased in the latest election.
Where it's strong now
Measurable support in nearly every country. Highest in:
Hungary (44.2%)
Poland (44.2%)
Latvia (39.4%)
Italy (37.9%)
Netherlands (32.1%)
Followed by Romania, Switzerland, France and Slovenia. Malta is the only country with no radical-right vote.
The dividing line
The most important division today is between far-right and national conservative parties. They unite on many fronts, often sharing both nationalism and conservatism — but far-right parties distinguish themselves through their view of democracy and unreserved support for authoritarian ideals.
Explore the parties behind the trends
Every classified party, filterable by country, ideology and category.
Family 1 of 7
Social Democrats
The dominant force of the western European left for over a century, now two decades into a sharp decline.
PEAK
32%
1956 and 1982
LOW
16.4%
2026 all-time low
TREND
↓ Declining
since c. 2000
History
Social democratic parties have shaped western European politics for over a century, peaking in 1956 and 1982 at around 32%. Support was still around 28% at the turn of the millennium, then fell sharply to 16% in 2026, an all-time low.
Where it's strong now
Support still exceeds 30 per cent only in:
Spain
Malta
United Kingdom
Since 2024: gains in Norway and Hungary; largest falls in Germany, Denmark, Cyprus and Portugal.