Personalism, disinformation, and anti-system Community: an analysis of ‘Se Acabó La Fiesta’s’ european election campaign on Telegram

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31921/doxacom.2960

Keywords:

election campaigns, disinformation, thematic analysis, Telegram, far-right

Abstract

This study analyses the political communication strategy of ‘Se Acabó La Fiesta’ (SALF) on Telegram during the 2024 European elections campaign. It examines the narratives of the ‘Alviseperez’ channel, Alvise Pérez’s hyper-leadership, and the spread of disinformation in his digital community. The research explores how SALF used Telegram to mobilise voters, build political identity, and bypass traditional media. A thematic analysis was conducted on 111 posts from 24 May to 7 June 2024, focusing on categories related to disinformation, community, and leadership. Findings reveal a strategy based on the hyper-personalisation of Pérez, group cohesion, and the dissemination of disinformative narratives. The symbolic role of Pérez evolves from "protector" early in the campaign to "great communicator" in its final phase. Telegram played a central role in avoiding limited mainstream media coverage and strengthening ties with supporters. This study contributes to understanding the digital far-right in Spain by highlighting Telegram as a key electoral tool. It also offers insights into how disinformation, leadership, and digital communities interact in alternative political mobilisation, underlining the strategic use of digital platforms in reshaping political engagement around charismatic figures and polarising narratives.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Anna Iñigo, University of Barcelona

    Anna Iñigo is a pre-doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Information and Audiovisual Media at the University of Barcelona. Her research focuses on the intersection between feminist and LGBTIQA+ studies in media, the manosphere, misogyny, online masculinities and youth. 

  • Aleix Martí-Danés, Pompeu Fabra University

    Aleix Martí-Danés is associate professor and predoctoral researcher in the Department of Communication at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. His lines of research focus on political communication, disinformation and cultural studies. He currently coordinates the Ideograma - UPF Chair and is a research assistant for the EUTOPIA-FLECSLAB project.

  • Sergio Villanueva Baselga, University of Barcelona

    Sergio Villanueva Baselga is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Information and Audiovisual Media at the University of Barcelona. His research focuses on the study of the intersection between media, political identities, health and education from a transdisciplinary perspective, with special emphasis on the study of disinformation phenomena. He is currently Rector's Delegate for CHARM-EU.

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Published

08-10-2026

Issue

Section

Miscellaneous of Research articles and essays

How to Cite

Iñigo, A., Martí Danés, A., & Villanueva Baselga, S. (2026). Personalism, disinformation, and anti-system Community: an analysis of ‘Se Acabó La Fiesta’s’ european election campaign on Telegram. Doxa Comunicación. Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication Studies and Social Sciences, 44. https://doi.org/10.31921/doxacom.2960
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