Fandom politici e social media l’affettività nella fase preelettorale

This article analyses political fandom in Italy through the cases of Giorgia Meloni, Giuseppe Conte, Elly Schlein, and Matteo Salvini. Based on 7,622 social media posts from April to June 2024 (during the Italian campaign for the European elections), the study examines affective expressions toward leaders to assess whether they reflect structured fandoms, spontaneous participation, or orchestrated strategies. It focuses on the strategic use of emotions during the electoral campaign. Using a mixed-methods approach, the article offers an interpretive lens on emerging forms of political participation in today’s digital ecosystem.