The coverage of gender related themes in the discourse of the Italian and Russian politicians on social media during the national and supranational levels of election campaigns

The article examines how gender-related topics are covered in the discourse of the Italian and Russian politicians. The author uses a synthesis of content analysis and discourse analysis of the statements of politicians on the social media during the election campaign for the European Parliament and the State Duma as a methodology of the study and uses the results of the analysis to explain how important gender-related topics are for the modern Italian and Russian society. Both the Italian and Russian politician choose Facebook as key social media. According to the findings of the study, a gender position is a determining feature of a politician, which helps to define their political position (left wing, right wing or center). A conservative rhetoric prevails in the discourse of right-wing political leaders. In addition, women politicians, regardless of their political orientation, better cover the problems of women equality and their place in the socio-economic life.