Political Polarization as a trigger of Hard Euroscepticism: The case of Bulgarian 2024 EP Elections
Political Polarization as a trigger of Hard Euroscepticism: The case of Bulgarian 2024 EP Elections

Summary/Abstract: In Bulgaria, where most of the population supports the European membership of the country, the space for Eurosceptic parties (hard or soft) is not very large. At the same time, as the case of Bulgarian 2024 European Parliament elections demonstrate a variety of political parties resort more and more often to Euros- ceptic rhetoric.Our article focuses on the most vocal Eurosceptic party in the country the political party Vazrazhdane (Revival). Vazrazhdane is a populist radical right par- ty that can be classified as a hard Eurosceptic party. In our article we argue that the hard Euroscepticism of Vazrazhdane is a result not only from the party ideological positions but also of the party strategic considerations. Another important aspect of the observed hard Euroscepticism of the party is the fact that is nurtured by the long lasting political crisis in the country and the significant political polarisation observed in Bulgaria.The article explores the hard Eurosceptic discourse of Vazrazhdane during the 2024 European Parliament Elections that happened simultaneously with snap general elections in the country. Our analysis is based on party documents, party manifestos and leaders’ and other officials’ speeches and interviews in the course of both EP and general elections in 2024.

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