Populism is a multidimensional and eclectic phenomenon that is difficult to capture within a single methodological framework. In the Polish context, its evolution has increasingly revealed not only bottom-up movements but also top-down adaptations by established political actors. To better grasp this dynamic, the concept of hybrid populism was introduced—understood as a form of populism that combines grassroots-elements of populism with strategic, institutionally driven implementation by long-standing parliamentary parties.

This analytical perspective was applied to the most recent electoral cycles in Poland, particularly the presidential elections of 2020 and 2025 and the parliamentary elections of 2019 and 2023. The study relies on a modified version of Kurt Weyland’s definition of populism and an interdisciplinary research approach, treating populism primarily as a political strategy grounded in appeals to the will of the people, an ‘us vs. them’ divide, and the construction of an enemy figure.

By integrating these methodological assumptions with the concept of hybrid populism, the analysis demonstrates how established parties recalibrate their strategies to fuse populist appeals with institutional resources, reshaping both campaign communication and voter mobilisation. This framework enables a more nuanced understanding of the changing role of populist rhetoric in contemporary Polish politics, particularly during key presidential and parliamentary contests.