A populist version of religious rigorism in contemporary Greece? The case of the Níki party

This article scrutinises the rise of the Greek political party, Níki. Emerging as a faith-based movement, Níki questions the secular establishment, promoting traditional values rooted in Orthodox Christianity and standing up for Greece’s cultural purity. This study explores what we perceive as Níki’s ‘populist rigorism’ – an amalgam of anti-elite discourse, nationalism and religious appeals that ostensibly situate it as the authentic voice of the ‘people of God’. By employing Pierre Ostiguy’s ‘high/low’ framework, we analyse Níki’s ideology and performance, emphasising its portrayal of a virtuous Greek people versus a corrupt, Westernized elite. The article argues that through religious symbols, nationalist rhetoric, and emotive communication, Níki redefines Greek conservatism and signals potential broader populist dynamics in Orthodox southeastern European contexts.