The past decade gave rise to serious criticism of the ECtHR. This article analyzes the position of the ECtHR with regard to a more recent phenomenon challenging the ECtHR – an unprecedented wave of populism in Europe. The article argues that the rise of populism not only intensifies the pressure on the ECtHR; it poses a serious and distinctive challenge to the ECtHR since supranational judicial review is at odds with the populist ideology.