As populist radical right parties broaden their support base and enter government, new challenges arise. We argue that adopting a «localist» style of symbolic policy-making is one strategic response during this phase of institutionalisation. This article examines two cases – the Lega in Italy and the Rassemblement National in France – seeking to expand their support into areas previously dominated by centre-left parties, while entering local government there for the first time. Theoretically, we integrate the literature on symbolic policy-making with research on the boundary-making function of identity, conceptualising «localism» as an identity-centred policy strategy. Drawing on mayoral statements and elite interviews, the analysis shows how localist symbols in policy-making are used to forge bonds with local populations, overcoming prior political allegiances through identity-based appeals.
Paxton et al. (Mon,) studied this question.