THE DICHOTOMY OF POLITICAL PORTRAITS OF THE LEADERS OF THE FRENCH OPPOSITION: A DISCURSIVE PERSPECTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17072/2218-1067-2025-3-28-39Keywords:
discourse analysis, rhetorical idioms, France, Manuel Bompard, Jordan Bardella, La France Insoumise, National RallyAbstract
This paper analyzes the discursive aspects of the political representation of French opposition leaders based on the case of Manuel Bompard and Jordan Bardella. The study is based on Laclau-Mouffe's discourse analysis methodology and Ibarra-Kitsuz's methodology for identifying rhetorical strategies. The empirical basis of this article is the pre-election speeches of opposition leaders during the 2024 early parliamentary elections in France. The results of this article complement theoretical studies on discursive strategies within populist ideologies. The study develops the horseshoe theory, showing that both radical left and radical right parties share similar rhetorical idioms: speeches by leaders of La France Insoumise and National Rally reveal common communicative strategies in criticizing the French government for unjust policies and limited accountability. At the same time, ideological differences between "left" and "right" political values play a significant role in the discursive strategies of the French opposition leaders, which is also reflected in party ideas. The results of the study indicate an ongoing confrontation between left and right opposition parties for the support of voters from similar socio-political groups, which may lead to a further split of the French political space into three main blocs.References
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