Walking the thin line between populism and Christian democratic popularism.What happens when a political tradition built on consensus meets the disruptive force of populism? This volume explores the complex and evolving relationship between Christian Democracy and populist politics across Europe, from the nineteenth century to the present.Bringing together vivid case studies from Austria, France, Belgium, Italy and Portugal, as well as an analysis of the European People’s Party, it reveals how Christian Democratic parties have navigated the pressures of populism: sometimes resisting it, sometimes adapting to it, and often walking a thin line in between. Historical chapters shed light on influential movements and key figures, while contemporary analyses examine how today’s leaders respond to rising political polarisation and voter discontent.Accessible and thought-provoking, Between Populism and Popularism offers readers a deeper understanding of how Europe’s political centre has been shaped, challenged and transformed over the past 150 years.