Conceptualising sidestreaming: How the populist radical right appeals to atypical supporters

This article explores why a growing number of populist radical right parties and politicians (PRRPs) seem to be making reverences towards different minority groups, for example, ethnic, gendered or migrantised minorities. It argues that this is not a sign of moderation of PRRPs’ ideological stances, but an increasingly common discursive strategy. Based on a close examination of populist radical right ideology, contemporary contextual shifts affecting PRRPs’ electoral success, and rhetorical examples from the Forum for Democracy (Netherlands), EKRE (Estonia) and the Sweden Democrats, the article outlines a concept of sidestreaming, which captures how the fourth wave PRRPs are repurposing and reframing their original ideas to reach new audiences. Sidestreaming serves the purpose of both diversifying its supporter base as well as destigmatising one’s image without making ideological compromises.