From Dissent to Diplomacy: The Italian Right-Wing Coalition’s Journey after the 2022 Elections in Depicting the EU

This thesis investigates the evolution of Eurosceptic narratives among the Italian parties Fratelli d’Italia, Forza Italia and Lega per Salvini Premier between 2018 and 2024, with a particular focus on the period after the parties joined the governing coalition in 2022. The main aim of this study is to provide an understanding of how and why these parties’ narratives concerning the European Union have changed, using the Inclusion-Moderation Theory and the Selectorate Theory as analytical frameworks. An analysis of electoral programs, speeches and third data such as Eurobarometer and electoral results will be utilized by employing a mixed-method approach, including textual analysis. This shall produce a comprehensive overview of the Eurosceptic discourse and its shifts. Considering the findings, the results are nuanced, as Fratelli d’Italia show a slight moderation and Forza Italia undergoes a shift towards pro-European positions, while the Lega maintained a hardline Euroscepticism. The shifts, analyzed in the context of political survival strategies, internal party dynamics, and broader electoral incentives, contribute to the understanding of Euroscepticism within the Italian right-wing party landscape. Moreover, the study provides a reconstruction of the implications of Eurosceptic narratives for the internal cohesion of the European Union and future policymaking, just as offering insights for academic research and practical policy considerations. Future research is encouraged for a more comprehensive understanding of long-term trends and the impact of recent political events on the narratives promoted by Eurosceptic parties.