The report, commissioned by the ex-Prime Minister, points to the rise of anti-EU parties in Italy, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Mr Blair's Institute for Global Change said populism could become the "new normal" in Europe and "transform public policy in radical ways".

Research found the share of the vote taken by populist parties has almost trebled since 2000, rising from 8.5 percent to 24.1 percent.

Over the same period, the number of European countries with populist parties participating in government has doubled from seven to 14.

The report explained: "In many countries, the trend line suggests that populists will continue to gain strength in the next round of elections.

"Populists could drive European politics into a more nationalist and protectionist direction.