Populism significantly impacts traditional political parties by challenging established norms and beliefs. It often creates a divide between the elite and the “common people,” leading to calls for more inclusive and direct democracy. Traditional parties may feel pressured to adapt their platforms to address populist sentiments, risking the dilution of their core principles in the process. This can lead to fragmentation within party structures as factions emerge, or alternatively, prompt an attempt by traditional parties to reclaim support, often intensifying ideological divides.