The evolution of the Eurosceptic discourse of Romanian political parties

Abstract

Party-based Euroscepticism has been the subject of multiple studies in the latest period, especially after the Brexit. By using a qualitative approach, this article analyses the evolution of the attitudes towards the EU expressed by Romanian parliamentary parties with a specific focus on Euroscepticism. The time frame chosen for analysis, 2016-2020, shows that the discourse presented by party leaders varies: PSD, ALDE and UDMR have an Eurosceptic discourse while PNL, USR, PMP and Pro Romania have an optimistic discourse regarding the integration in the EU. The evolution of the Eurosceptic discourse is gradual. Parties begin with a critical discourse, then present a soft Euroscepticism and some present in the end a strong Eurosceptic position.

Keywords

• party-based euroscepticism
• political party
• hard euroscepticism
• soft euroscepticism
• romania