Not all far-right Euroscepticism is the same: ideological opposition and modes of systemic integration in EU discourse

This study examines variation in far-right parties’ positions on the European Union (EU) by analytically distinguishing between radical and extreme-right actors and analysing their EU-related discourse. While existing research often treats the far right as a single party family and explains its variation in Euroscepticism mainly in terms of ideological opposition and strategic positioning, this article argues that differences in EU orientation also reflect different forms of systemic integration. Drawing on a qualitative thematic analysis of electoral manifestos and Telegram messages from three radical and three extreme-right parties in France, Italy, and Spain, the article examines how these actors discursively construct their relationship to the EU as both a political project and a political system. The findings show that both party families share substantial ideological opposition to the EU, centred on sovereignty, migration, and economic control. However, radical-right parties combine criticism with sustained engagement in EU institutions and reform-oriented discourse. By contrast, extreme-right actors predominantly frame the EU as illegitimate and advocate withdrawal or rupture. These findings suggest that similar levels of ideological opposition may coexist with different modes of articulating that opposition. The work contributes to the study of the far right by demonstrating the analytical value of distinguishing between radical and extreme-right actors when examining their relationship to the EU as a political regime. It also contributes to debates on Euroscepticism by clarifying how similar levels of ideological opposition to European integration may correspond to different modes of articulating that opposition related to systemic integration.