The rise of populist leaders can have a significant impact on the stability and functionality of democratic institutions in several key ways:

Erosion of checks and balances: Populist leaders often seek to consolidate power and weaken the independence of institutions like the judiciary, legislature, and a free press that is meant to provide oversight and act as a check on executive authority. This can undermine the system of checks and balances fundamental to a healthy democracy.
Attacks on democratic norms: Populist leaders may reject democratic norms like the peaceful transition of power, political compromise, and respect for political opponents. This can lead to greater political polarization, gridlock, and a breakdown in the basic rules of the democratic game.
Demonization of opposition: Populists often define the “people” they claim to represent in an exclusionary way, casting political opponents as traitors or enemies of the people. This can fuel a climate of intolerance and make it difficult for democratic institutions to function as intended.
Politicization of institutions: Populist leaders may seek to place loyalists in key positions within institutions like the civil service, judiciary, and electoral bodies, blurring the line between the political leadership and the supposedly neutral, professional administration of government.
Undermining faith in democracy: As democratic institutions become weaker or fail to deliver on populist promises, citizens may lose faith in the democratic system altogether. This can pave the way for more authoritarian alternatives.
However, the specific impact of populist leaders can vary greatly depending on factors like the strength of a country’s democratic traditions, the checks on executive power, and the willingness of other political actors to defend democratic norms. In some cases, populists may be constrained by resilient institutions, while in others they may succeed in dramatically altering the democratic landscape.

Overall, the rise of populism poses a serious challenge to the stability and functionality of democratic systems that require ongoing vigilance and commitment to democratic principles from political leaders and citizens alike.