TY - THES ID - 136990428 TI - The Energy Crisis as Political Ammunition. An analysis of Fratelli d'Italia and the Sweden Democrats Campaign strategies in the 2022 General Elections AU - Haeldermans, Lore AU - Put, Gert-Jan AU - KU Leuven. Faculteit Sociale Wetenschappen. Opleiding Master of Advanced Studies in European Policies and Public Administration (Leuven et al) PY - 2023 PB - Leuven KU Leuven. Faculteit Sociale Wetenschappen DB - UniCat UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:136990428 AB - This dissertation focuses on the utilization of the energy crisis within the discourse of two right-wing populist parties, Fratelli d’Italia and the Sweden Democrats. The study examines the manifestos of these parties for the 2022 general elections, employing Qualitative Discourse Analysis as the primary methodology. Additionally, Facebook posts are incorporated into the analysis. The research applies the definition of populism by Moffitt (2015, 2016) and Mudde (2004, 2007, 2017) and the six-step model by Moffitt (2015) to systematically examine the discourse of the parties concerning the energy crisis. The main contribution of this study lies in its innovative exploration of the link between crises and populism, which has not been extensively researched before (Moffitt, 2015). By conducting a thorough analysis of the manifestos and Facebook posts, this research provides valuable insights into how Fratelli d’Italia and the Sweden Democrats frame and communicate their positions on the energy crisis. The analysis reveals common themes, rhetorical strategies, and narratives employed by these parties. The research sheds light on the strategic use of the energy crisis for political purposes. The research finds that the energy crisis was more dominant in the campaign discourse of the SD. They strategically used the crisis to persuade voters by creating a ‘we vs. them’ narrative and proposing simple solutions. The six-step model was employed to elevate the failure to a level of crisis. FdI, on the other hand, placed less emphasis on the energy crisis in their political campaigning, despite it being an election priority. However, both parties utilized the concept of crisis in their campaigns. The study suggests that performing crises is an essential element of populism for parties like FdI and the SD, as crises play a significant role in the contemporary political landscape and contributes to the success of these parties. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that policymakers, political analysts, and researchers pay attention to the strategies used by right-wing populist parties when confronted with crises. This understanding can facilitate the development of more effective communication strategies, policies, and counter-narratives to address the challenges posed by crises and counter the populist discourse. By engaging with the communications of these parties, stakeholders can better navigate and respond to the complex interplay between crises and right-wing populism. The research offers a foundation for further studies on the intersection between crises and right-wing populism. ER -