A recent study from the University of Helsinki delves into how female political leaders Marine Le Pen and Riikka Purra leverage gender and perceived threats to strengthen their roles within right-wing populist parties. By framing issues such as Islam and feminism as threats, they advocate for both men’s and women’s rights, broadening their support base.
Both Le Pen and Purra emphasize strong leadership, protect women from perceived threats, and advocate for men’s rights in their messaging. The study analyzed their online presence, revealing a strategic balance between supporting women’s rights and projecting strong leadership.
Purra’s discourse emphasizes victimhood and the need to address gender equality issues in Finland, contrasting with Le Pen’s more measured approach in National Rally. Their strategies offer insights into how female leaders navigate gender and political leadership in male-dominated spaces, showcasing the complex intersection of gender, politics, and populism in modern leadership.
As these leaders continue to shape their political identities, lessons from their approaches shed light on the intricate dynamics of right-wing populist parties and the significance of gender in political narratives.