Framing COVID-19: Political Discourse of the SNP, ERC and Junts during the 2021 Scottish and Catalan Regional Elections

Abstract

Adding to the growing scholarship on discourse analysis, cognitive frame theory and minority nationalism, this study examines how three of the most successful regional powers in Europe, the SNP in Scotland and Junts and ERC in Catalonia framed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to mobilize voters during the 2021 Scottish and Catalan regional elections. The quantitative and qualitative assessment of their Facebook communication suggests that diagnostic, prognostic and motivation framing was applied which are key elements of successful voter mobilization. Communication directly related to COVID-19 was used strategically during the campaigns to criticize the central governments and ascribe blame for the health and economic crisis. Posts about the virus also offered a platform for parties to highlight the successes of regional crisis management and to depict nationalist party candidates for regional governance as truly experienced politicians. Lastly, the SNP, ERC and Junts all argued that the crisis highlighted the weaknesses of the state structures that Scotland and Catalonia belong to. By framing independence as the only viable path to end the COVID-19 crisis, parties offered citizens a clear plan that was entirely dependent on voters casting their ballot papers in favour of nationalist politics.