Euroscepticism in national context: framing analysis of the Polish PiS and the French RN in comparative perspective

This paper analyses party-based Euroscepticism in comparative perspective by examining the narratives of the French Rassemblement National (RN) and the Polish Law and Justice Party (PiS). Drawing on framing theory and a qualitative, discourse-oriented methodology, the study investigates how Eurosceptic frames and narratives are mobilized in party discourse between 2015 and 2024. The analysis demonstrates that both parties rely heavily on frames portraying the European Union (EU) as an intrusive actor undermining national sovereignty and democratic self-determination. However, their framing priorities differ notably. PiS places greater emphasis on identity-based frames rooted in Poland’s historical experiences of foreign domination, Catholic heritage, and contemporary geopolitical insecurities. By contrast, the RN foregrounds economic and utilitarian arguments, particularly those linked to welfare chauvinism, fiscal transfers, and perceived distributive injustices within the EU, consistent with France’s position as a major net contributor. Despite these divergences, the findings reveal important commonalities: both parties invoke European traditions and values, articulate a selective vision of integration, and advance conditional support for deeper cooperation in areas such as security and border control. The paper concludes that national context shapes Eurosceptic discourse, but less decisively than often assumed, as both parties converge on a shared, normatively ambivalent “Euro-populist” narrative.