Local contestation to the deployment of large-scale renewable energy infrastructures has been increasing. Right-wing populism has also been on the rise across the world. This article aims to explore the potential relations between these two socio-political issues, by analyzing Portuguese media discourses on the renewable energy transition and if and how those expose associations with right-wing populist rhetoric. 465 articles published by Portuguese newspapers were analyzed through Thematic Analysis, which revealed three main themes: Portugal at the forefront of the green transition; the dark side of the transition; and, less pervasively, energy justice as crucial for a green transition. These themes and how they are discursively organized resonate with far-right wing populist rhetoric, such as nationalist, anti-elitist and anti-establishment views. This might find echo in rural communities affected by the green energy transition feelings of marginalization.

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Renewable energy,Right-wing populism,Media analysis,Socio-environmental justice,Portugal

• Psychology - Social Sciences
• Political Science - Social Sciences
• Media and Communications - Social Sciences

This publication is an output of the following project(s):

• Intersections of right-wing populism and (un)just rural energy transitions in Portugal as communicative and socio-spatial practices

This publication is associated with the following references in the media record(s):

• Notícias sobre transição energética alimentam populismo de extrema-direita (CIS-Iscte)
• Justenergy (Iscte)
• Alunos em protesto pelo clima expulsam representantes do Chega da FCSH (Público)