Dark Mirror: Transnational Populist Networks and the Construction of a Parallel International Order
25 May 2026
Right-wing populist and illiberal actors are constructing a transnational ecosystem of international conferences, hybrid educational institutions, think tanks and media platforms designed to mirror—and ultimately displace—the architecture of the Euro-Atlantic order. Many of these initiatives are backed by governments, but are designed to outlast electoral cycles. A growing convergence with Trump-aligned networks in the US is adding transatlantic depth. Despite policy differences, these networks share a strategic objective: to rewire international cooperation around nationalist principles and weaken the EU. The primary political target of this ecosystem is the centre–right. Populists are appropriating the vocabulary of ‘conservatism’ and ‘Christian Democracy’ and portraying the European People’s Party (EPP) as technocratic and part of the ‘liberal elite’. Their goal is not merely to achieve electoral gains, but to redefine conservatism—detaching it from the rule of law, European integration and transatlantic partnership. Thus, transnational populist cooperation must be tackled head on. First, the EPP must proactively reclaim the language of conservatism and Christian Democracy. European integration must also be articulated as a values- based project, including conservative principles, not merely a technocratic one. Stronger partnerships with universities and deeper engagement with debates on identity, culture and European heritage are essential. Second, the EPP family must be more strategic in engaging with populist actors, as avoiding confrontation leaves them uncontested in the transnational space. Where divisions are evident—for example on Ukraine—the EPP should expose them. Communication must also adapt. While the EPP will not want to imitate the populists by turning political events into spectacles, it must compete more effectively in the cultural and digital space, ensuring that its message resonates beyond institutional audiences. A dedicated internal capacity to map and scrutinise transnational populist networks—including funding structures—is also needed. The recent government change in Hungary, which under the leadership of Viktor Orbán had become a major centre of funding and support for transnational populist networks, provides the first opportunity to dismantle parts of this infrastructure, but it also points to deeper challenges and the need for more sophisticated action to counter them in a durable way.
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