The Nationalist Party and the framing of the European Union in electoral manifestos since 2003

Abstract

The study delves into the concept of political framing, emphasising how political parties and politicians strategically use language and media to shape public opinion and advance their agendas. It explores various framing theories, such as value-based and metaphorical framing, to link issues with specific values and elicit particular feelings. The study highlights the power of framing to influence public discourse and decision-making, citing examples like Brexit and the War on Terror. It also discusses the Overton Window concept, illustrating how public opinion can shift over time on particular issues. Ultimately, the study warns about the potential for deception and manipulation in framing strategies, underscoring its pervasive impact on public perception and decision-making processes. The research focuses on how the PN framed the EU issue before and after Malta's 2004 EU membership, analysing the party's election manifestos from 2003 onwards. By employing a qualitative methodology and framing theories, the study aims to understand how the PN's rhetoric on the EU evolved during this period in domestic politics. It examines elements like language related to nationalism, references to EU institutions, and proposed EU policies to trace the changes in the PN's framing of the EU issue. The study acknowledges constraints like source partiality, data accessibility, and potential researcher bias, despite efforts to remain impartial. It employs a mixed methodology approach to investigate how the PN framed the EU issue in Malta's political discourse The study highlights the significant role of the EU accession referendum and the subsequent general election in Malta's political discourse. It notes that the PN had been advocating for EU membership since the 1960s, emphasising shared European identity and economic opportunities. In contrast, the MLP, GWU, and FMI led an anti-EU accession coalition, expressing concerns about loss of sovereignty and Maltese neutrality. The PN's alignment with the EPP reinforced their shared values of social responsibility and free markets. Following Malta's accession to the EU, the PN faced challenges in maintaining public support. The party's loss in the 2004 MEPs elections, just a year after winning the referendum and general election, led to growing public frustration. The PN had to adjust its framing strategy to demonstrate the benefits of EU membership. Over time, the EU issue became less prominent in the PN's campaign, with mentions of EU funds and EU-aided projects becoming more frequent. When the PN went into opposition, it framed the EU as a means to combat corruption and promote good governance within the Labour government. However, the PN struggled to adapt to the Labour Party's framing of the EU as a means to further progress the country. In this study, the way the PN frames the concept of the EU over time is analysed and it is noted that the issue quickly transitioned from the biggest political weapon in the PN’s arsenal, to a non-starter since Labour transitioned to a pro-European stance under Muscat’s leadership.