FRÅN SKEPSIS TILL ANPASSNING En kvalitativ analys av Vänsterpartiets och Sverigedemokraternas argumentation kring deras förändrade EU-ståndpunkter

Abstract

This essay aims to explain how parties legitimize a changed position towards the European Union with the Swedish political parties Sverigedemokraterna (Sweden democrats) and Vänsterpartiet (Left party) in focus. The essay aims to do this by defining the arguments each party uses in support of a collaboration with the EU, while also taking each party’s ideological affiliations into account. The theoretical aspect of the essay discusses the probability of different outcomes of the results, based on the different ideologies of the parties. To do this, a qualitive analysis was applied. The results find that both parties shift the emphasis on the EU to legitimize their changed position, but by having to consider different ideological perspectives. This study highlights parties’ strategies when trying to maintain their integrity and continuity while shifting their political standpoints.