From Threat to Humanitarianism: The Evolving Polarization of Migration in Greek Parliamentary and Press Narratives (2010–2022)
摘要
This chapter investigates the long-term discursive construction of immigration in Greece, focusing on parliamentary debate and elite media coverage between 2010 and 2022. Situated at the intersection of two major crises—economic austerity and large-scale migration—Greece offers a unique lens through which to examine how political and media narratives shape public perceptions and policy making. Using a dual-thematic framework, the study analyses 6225 opinion articles from the conservative newspaper Kathimerini and 1954 plenary parliamentary sessions, identifying the dominant rhetorical frames used to portray immigration. Grounded in frame analysis and issue polarization theory, the findings reveal a consistent dominance of the Threat frame across both arenas, especially under conservative leadership. Although humanitarian appeals surface periodically—particularly under the SYRIZA government—they remain abstract and fragmented, lacking the narrative coherence and emotional resonance of the opposed securitized discourses. The study also traces the transformation of migrant representations, from individualized figures to depersonalized collective abstractions, reinforcing a dialectic process of dehumanization and discursive distancing. The chapter sheds light on how ideological framing, political leadership, and media discourse co-produce a polarized narrative environment. The Greek case reflects broader European trends, while also revealing distinctive national dynamics in the politicization of migration.