The paper analyses Czech media discourse on energy diversification and decarbonisation between 2014 and 2023, examining the narratives present and whether they reflect the geopoliticisation of EU discourse on energy transition. Based on the framework of critical geopolitics, the research identifies five dominant narratives aimed at domestic audiences. These narratives portray the energy transition primarily as a top-down obligation, emphasise risks and costs, and present the EU as a regulatory body rather than a geopolitical actor. As a result, the broader strategic dimension of the transition, such as strengthening the EU's global position, is largely absent. Power dynamics are redirected inwards, towards industry, communities and households. The findings contribute to research on geopolitical narratives by showing how EU-level frameworks are reinterpreted in national discourse. It also offers practical insights for aligning public communication with EU strategic objectives and improving domestic support for energy transition. • The energy transition self-identifies the EU according to critical geopolitics. • Discourse is a specific means of power for the EU. • Media discourse in the Czech Republic does not reflect the EU discourse. • The discourse is composed of different narratives. • The discourse is only partly influenced by Russia's aggression towards Ukraine.
Dubský et al. (Wed,) studied this question.