Abstract
This article analyzes the relationship between the negative perception on the quality of life and the rise of contemporary populism, using as a case study the presidential elections in Romania in 2025. Starting from the premise that subjective assessments of living standards influence electoral behavior, it analyzes the extent to which individual dissatisfaction has favored support for parties and leaders with populist discourse. The analysis integrates electoral data, opinion polls and the dynamics of campaign discourse, and the results indicate that electorate segments that expressed a high degree of socio-economic dissatisfaction and distrust in institutions showed a stronger predisposition to support populist parties and leaders. At the same time, the conclusions suggest that the rise of populism in Romania in the post-pandemic period cannot be explained exclusively by ideological factors or campaign strategies, but must be understood in correlation with the dynamics of perceptions of quality of life and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
Cuvinte cheie
quality of life
contemporary populism
institutional trust
subjective perceptions of well-being
elections
well-being
democracy
Istoric articol
Publicat
31.08.2026
Informații autori
Citare recomandată
Daniel Nițoi, Alexandru Bakhaya (2026). The Negative Perception on Quality of Life and Populism Support: An Analysis of the Presidential Elections in Romania in 2025. Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu Economics Series, 2(1), 428–440. https://doi.org/10.65631/jes.4.2026.39
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