Eurosceptic narratives and disinformation in Estonia in the context of 2024 European Parliament elections

Abstract

The European Parliament elections play a principal role in shaping the EU and its member states' politics as the event introduces new political actors and agendas, often bringing along domestic changes. This thesis investigates the evolution of Eurosceptic narratives in Estonian alternative media throughout 2024, with particular focus on the European Parliament (EP) elections and possible connections to political disinformation. Additionally, the year 2024 offered a variety of other events shaping the political information related to the EU, such as other relevant controversial Eurosceptic actors, including Viktor Orbán and Hungary, which appear in the narratives. While previous studies have emphasised Euroscepticism among Estonia’s Russian-speaking population, this research concentrates on Estonian-speaking (far-right and nationalist) alternative media platforms. Using narrative analysis, the study examines 108 narratives across six major alternative media sites to identify core Eurosceptic themes and assess the presence of disinformation. Seven dominant narrative categories were identified, the most prevalent being portrayals of the EU having authoritarian tendencies. Although only a few narratives were confirmed as disinformation, many were found to be misleading, highlighting the blurred line between propaganda and outright falsehoods. The results also indicate a growing resonance of Euroscepticism in Estonia, reflected in the country’s increasing support for Eurosceptic parties during the 2024 EP elections. While explicit election-related campaigning was limited, post-election developments—such as dissatisfaction with the new Commission and continued emphasis on issues like climate policy and migration—intensified Eurosceptic rhetoric. The study contributes to broader discussions on the regional variations of Eurosceptic discourse, the strategic use of disinformation in populist media, and the role of emotional appeals and historical sensitivities in shaping anti-EU sentiment in Eastern Europe.