Putting the blame back on Brussels: strategic communication of the populist radical right in the 2019 European Parliament elections

Abstract

ABSTRACT The 2019 European Parliament elections were marked by a specific ‘threat to Europe’ discourse associated with concerns about possible populist radical right’s (PRR) breakthrough. The pro-European narrative suggested authoritarianism, non-democratic behaviour, anti-Europeanism, nostalgia for the past, and xenophobia as themes attributive of the PRR challenge. This article examines the PRR parties’ counter-narrative on these themes in the way it is embedded in their strategic communication during the election campaign. Three prominent examples are taken into consideration: France’s Rassemblement national, Italy’s Lega and Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland. By analysing discursively their election manifestos and social media messages the article outlines their claim for appropriation of the ‘threat to Europe’ discourse and European legitimacy of their Euroscepticism. Thus, the article seeks to contribute to the discussion on the ideological consolidation of the PRR.