Abstract

Populism, which takes various forms in today's societies, is the political movement that restructures the space of political communication. A defining feature of populism, regardless of its national or ideological context, is the sharp division of society into “us” — the authentic people — and “them,” the perceived enemies. This exclusivist framework often translates into hostility toward foreigners and, by extension, toward migration. This article undertakes a comparative analysis of the discourse of representative populist leaders from both the Western world and Eastern Europe, illustrating how their rhetoric reflects a negative stance on migration. Populism is generally articulated as a reaction to a perceived crisis, in which migration is depicted as a threat to the people’s identity, security, or well-being, depending on the national context. Furthermore, digital communication and social media amplify these narratives, enabling populist actors to construct enemies more easily and to portray migrants in a negative, emotionally charged manner. The analysis demonstrates that opposition to migration is a structural feature of populism, manifesting itself consistently whenever the issue of foreigners and migration enters the national, regional, or global political agenda.