This thesis investigates the effect of the Euro crisis on the positions of the German mainstream parties SPD and CDU/CSU. Even though national parties are crucial political actors, their responses...Show moreThis thesis investigates the effect of the Euro crisis on the positions of the German mainstream parties SPD and CDU/CSU. Even though national parties are crucial political actors, their responses to the crisis have been researched insufficiently. To fill this gap, this thesis employs deductive, qualitative research. It combines data of party manifestos, televised debates and seven interviews with parliamentarians and parliamentarian assistants. In contrast to other studies on party position changes that are mostly quantitative, this thesis employs a qualitative design. The results entail that there was a small change in the positions of the two parties. The reactions of the parties were mostly similar. They did not change their stance towards the EU fundamentally; however, the EU gained salience. Through the crisis, the par-ties felt urged to give more explanations about the EU and their position towards it to citi-zens. This need arose from the increasing public Euroscepticism as well as the party-bound Euroscepticism embodied by the novel party AfD. CDU/CSU and SPD aimed at responding to these developments and at defending their traditionally pro-European stance. The results are relevant to researchers of European integration and party positions. They also generate advice for practitioners. Party politicians are recommended to make a distinct choice in case a novel (challenger) party emerges; to move closer to the party, or to stick to their own posi-tion. There can be valid reasons for both options but failure to make a clear enough decision can lead to regrets.Show less
There is a constant rise of populism spreading around the world. This can be observed in Latin America, North America and Europe among others. Europe is a continent which has for years stood for...Show moreThere is a constant rise of populism spreading around the world. This can be observed in Latin America, North America and Europe among others. Europe is a continent which has for years stood for democracy, human rights, liberalism and the idea of a common people with a common market and a common history. However, today more than ever before, these ideas are being challenged by the growing trend of right-wing populism. This thesis will therefore explain and assess the following question: “What factors determine the success of right-wing populism?”. The focus, of this thesis, is on two European countries specifically, Italy and Germany, where populist parties have had different success.Show less
This thesis will explain and assess the following question: “What factors determine the success of right-wing populism?”. The focus, of this thesis, is on two European countries specifically, Italy...Show moreThis thesis will explain and assess the following question: “What factors determine the success of right-wing populism?”. The focus, of this thesis, is on two European countries specifically, Italy and Germany, where populist parties have had different success. The thesis will analyse the similarities and differences between the Lega in Italy and the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany. The relevance of this thesis is to better understand what determines the success of populist parties in Europe and why are some populist parties more successful than others.Show less
In 2017, the right-wing populist parties ‘Alternative for Germany’(AfD) and the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) got markedly different election results: While the AfD got 12.6% of the vote share, the...Show moreIn 2017, the right-wing populist parties ‘Alternative for Germany’(AfD) and the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) got markedly different election results: While the AfD got 12.6% of the vote share, the FPÖ achieved a much higher result with 26%. Considering that the two parties as well as Germany and Austria are ostensibly similar, this puzzle leads to the question of what explains the so markedly different election results of the AfD and the FPÖ in 2017. Based on a review of general factors that explain the success of populist radical right parties and extensive research on the aspects that led to the rise and success of the AfD and FPÖ, the paper focuses on the role of the media, seeking to understand how the two parties were portrayed by the media before the 2017 elections. This task is approached by conducting a qualitative content analysis of the reporting on the AfD by the Bild Zeitung and the depiction of the FPÖ by the Kronen Zeitung, the two most popular online daily newspapers in their countries, during the last month before the elections. It is shown that the two parties used different framing strategies to report on the AfD or FPÖ respectively, resulting in a much more negative portrayal of the former. Considering that the FPÖ was depicted in a more positive way and got a much higher result in the election, the paper contributes to the literature by supporting the theory that the media have an influence on election results by shaping the public image of parties and their leaders, thereby influencing the voter’s perception of them, and offers a relevance point for further research on explaining the varied election results of the AfD and FPÖ in the 2017 elections.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to assess to what extent the Alternative für Deutschland has been consistent in the positions taken in the party programme since its founding. Understanding the...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to assess to what extent the Alternative für Deutschland has been consistent in the positions taken in the party programme since its founding. Understanding the consistency of the AfD could help to better apprehend the rise of the party. Indeed, if we were to uncover that the AfD is consistent in its positions, the latter positions would be the basis for further analysis to explain its success, whereas an inconsistent discourse could in itself point to a strategy to please the voters depending on public debate and polls concerning German feelings towards hot issues.Show less
This thesis primarly sets out the story behind the rise of Pegida, Germany's most notorious social movement of the 21th century. Furthermore, it investigates the link with the EU and attempts to...Show moreThis thesis primarly sets out the story behind the rise of Pegida, Germany's most notorious social movement of the 21th century. Furthermore, it investigates the link with the EU and attempts to find out to what extent two of Germany's most prominent newspapers, Bild and Sueddeutsche Zeitung, have contributed to, or hampered, the emergence of the Dresden-born movement.Show less
