Exploring Ireland's Paradoxical Relationship with the EU and the Impact of External Narratives on European Elections

Ireland has exhibited notably high levels of support for the European Union. According to a 2021 Eurobarometer, some 70% in Ireland have positive attitudes towards the EU and its future, compared to an EU average of 45%. Yet, Ireland frequently returns MEPs that are highly critical of the EU - including two accused of aligning themselves with Russian and Chinese agendas - while mainstream media rarely affords substantial coverage of the European Parliament. Furthermore, as a small, English-speaking country Ireland is heavily influenced by disinformation and manipulation narratives emanating from the UK and the US. Given these dynamics, the potential for a highly disruptive campaign is very high. The paper will analyse the EU narratives during the campaign and trace the origin and influence of these narratives.