Dmitry Erokhin, PhD, Research Scholar at IIASA, presents a poster on the emotionalization of political discourse at the Day of Parliamentary Research 2026 at the Austrian Parliament. His study analyzes public comments on YouTube videos related to major Austrian political parties and applies sentiment and topic analysis to examine how emotions, facts, polarization, and toxicity shape online political debate. The findings provide insights into how digital media influences public perceptions of parties and democratic processes, and how parliaments can better respond to emotionally charged political communication.
On 16 June 2026, Dmitry Erokhin, PhD, Research Scholar at the IIASA Cooperation and Transformative Governance (CAT) Research Group, presents his research during the poster session of the Day of Parliamentary Research 2026 at the Austrian Parliament. The event, organized by the Legal, Legislative & Research Services of the Parliamentary Administration, focuses on the roles of emotions and reasoning in political debates, parliamentary decision-making, and democratic life.
Erokhin’s poster “Emotionalization of Political Discourse: Sentiment and Topic Analysis of Public Comments on Austrian Political Parties” examines the extent to which emotions dominate public discourse in online comments related to major Austrian political parties. The study explores how emotional tone varies across parties and topics, and whether emotionally charged digital communication contributes to polarization in public debates.
“The findings provide parliaments with empirical evidence on how digital media shapes public perceptions of parties and democratic processes. By analyzing emotional dynamics, sentiment, polarization, and topic patterns in online political discourse, this research can help parliaments develop strategies to promote evidence-based discussion in emotionally charged contexts. It can also support the monitoring of public debate as a complement to traditional surveys and polls, while taking into account ethical considerations and methodological limitations”, stated Dmitry Erokhin.
The Day of Parliamentary Research 2026 brings together researchers from different disciplines, countries, and institutions to discuss how emotions and reasoning interact in parliamentary debates, lawmaking, democratic representation, and public trust. The program includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, a poster session, and a closing discussion on the question: “How can we make democracy feel good?”
To read more on the Day of Parliamentary Research 2024 https://www.parlament.gv.at/en/experience/events/EAA52F3366768BCA401DCA9EA5B181DD
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