TRADITION ELLER VARIATION? En kvalitativ textanalys av diskursen i partiledartalen i Almedalen

Abstract

Almedalsveckan is a central institution in Swedish politics. As an arena for policymakers, voters, authorities, and others, it has become a well-known meeting point for individuals with diverse knowledge of Sweden's democratic processes. The purpose of this study is to examine the phenomenon of Almedal speeches by analyzing how party leaders use them to communicate with voters. By analyzing the speeches, the study aims to identify recurring themes and patterns, which will help to conclude the nature of Almedalsveckan's institutional strength as a political arena in Sweden. In my study, I analyze the party leaders' speeches at Almedalsveckan from three key perspectives through qualitative analysis: political rhetoric, election pledges (from a mandate-seeking perspective), and accountability. My hypothesis suggests that there will be significant similarities in the speeches, regardless of party affiliation or government position. However, my results indicate that the patterns found suggest that party leaders use the speeches at Almedalsveckan as an expression of personal style and rhetoric, rather than a style specific to the political event itself. This result indicates that there might not be a distinct institutional strength in the phenomenon of Almedalsveckan, and that the week should be studied as a platform for democracy, but not necessarily any different from other political contexts. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the complex role of Almedalsveckan in Swedish politics and the strategic considerations behind the party leaders' speeches.