"Jag pissar på konventionerna om hur politiker ska vara" - En beskrivande studie av Örebropartiet och dess partinätverk

Sammanfattning: The landscape of Swedish local politics is changing, through the emerge of a new set of values: the authoritarian left-wing populism. This descriptive study constitutes a first scientifical examination of the local party Örebropartiet and its expanding network of five follower parties. Firstly, the parties’ values are mapped out through a descriptive idea analysis of party programs along three dimensions: economical left-right, sociocultural libertarian-authoritarian, and the degree of populism. The analysis concludes that Örebropartiet and their network, through consistent claims of protecting welfare quality and the “people”, combine previously incompatible values of strong welfare and public sector with hard-line migration and cultural standpoints – however, with considerable value differences between follower parties. Secondly, the party leaders are interviewed. The party network is analysed based on previous scientifical findings on social backgrounds and mechanisms concerning political pioneers and followers. The analysis finds fundamental value change during Örebropartiet’s early years as crucial for the following diffusion aiming at a long-term takeover of national power. Followers recruited to the network consist mainly of young, politically inexperienced men, distrusting toward established political parties but inspired by Örebropartiet and its leader Markus Allard. Followers’ initial insecurity is reduced through education and resources offered by Örebropartiet. The party network is hierarchically organised with limited communication between follower parties.