Legitimizing Populism in Times of War: European Illiberal Actors and the Instrumentalization of Russian Narratives

This paper seeks to examine the ways in which several European populist illiberal actors, including the Freedom Party of Austria, Fidesz in Hungary, and Alternative for Germany, utilize Russia in the aftermath of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine to justify anti-EU stances and bolster populist legitimisation. By analysing the discursive practices employed by these parties following February 2022 in relation to Russia, our study has two primary objectives: first, to identify and compare the various forms of illiberalism present in Europe; and second, to identify the strategies of populist legitimization that these actors employ to justify their own positions and their dealings with Russia. In particular, we will explore the use of Russian narratives or references to Russia as an instrument to bolster populist rhetoric. Additionally, we investigate discursive elements that provide justification for latent or explicit support towards Russia in the context of the Ukrainian invasion. In terms of methods, the paper will rely on a mixed-methods approach to analysing discursive patterns inductively in press releases, parliamentary speeches, social media, and party newspapers issued by illiberal political actors in Austria, Germany, and Hungary since February 2022. By doing so, the paper seeks to contribute to ongoing discussions about the international diffusion of illiberal narratives and demonstrate how the war in Ukraine catalysed this process. Our analysis will also shed light on differences regarding the extent to which such narratives are adapted to the national context of illiberal actors, and the degree to which they are institutionalised.