The occurrence of the financial crisis in Europe has offered enough space for the growth of populist alternatives in the public speech. Thus, the aim of this study is to connect the socio-economic consequences of the crisis with the populist rhetoric of SYRIZA (Radical Left Coalition), M5S (5 Star Movement) and PODEMOS (We Can) parties in Greece, Italy and Spain respectively. A comparative analysis will be conducted in order to identify their main characteristics as well as the differences and the commonalities of the three cases. Taking into account as analytical tools, the specificities of the South European area and the old and new theories of populism, this paper aims to offer lucrative incentives to the scientific discussion about the rise of populism in this region
