The conditions are perfect for a populist resurgence in Europe - CNN

At the time, the Central Council of Jews in Germany welcomed the decision, saying: "The AfD's destructive politics undermine our democratic institutions and discredit democracy among citizens."

The AfD sent shockwaves through Europe in 2017 after securing over 12% of the vote in Germany's federal elections, making it the third largest party and official opposition. 

Where is this momentum coming from? 

"The cost-of-living crisis is undermining governments and European institutions.

Of course the war in Ukraine has made things worse, but things like the European Green Deal and monetary policy from the European Central Bank were pushing up inflation before the war.

But the politics of fear in the context of crisis does tend to lend itself more readily to right-wing populists. 

"In the case of Meloni and her party, she was able to criticize both the establishment figure of Mario Draghi, an unelected technocrat installed as Prime Minister, and the populists that had propped up his coalition government," says Marianna Griffini, lecturer in the Department of European and International Studies at King's College London. 

Griffini says that Italy's recent woes have made it particularly susceptible to anti-establishments ideas.

Ever since, the establishment and governments of both Conte and Draghi have been easy targets to throw rocks at." 

Why does crisis create such a unique opportunity for right-wing populists?