Routledge Handbook of European Elections

The Routledge Handbook of European Elections explores the multifaceted dimension of the European Parliament?s (EP) electoral contests across the European Community and European Union since 1979.

After setting a general empirical and theoretical framework, this collaborative project presents original contributions from leading experts from virtually all the corners of the European Union. Each case study adheres to a common template that makes it easy to compare data, methodology and outcomes.

Every country chapter includes:

• a brief geopolitical profile and historical background of the Member State;
• a glance at the national political landscape;
• a short account of the main political parties, including their attitude toward the European Union;
• a section on public opinion and European integration;
• a summary of electoral systems;
• an overview of all EP and national elections;
• an in-depth analysis of the 2009 EP electoral race;
• an overall theoretical interpretation of European elections.

A comparative chapter closes the Handbook followed by an Epilogue focussing on the 2014 EP contest with a detailed analysis of the newly elected European Assembly in terms of political group and gender compostion.

The volume aims to enhance readers? understanding of the European Parliament and revive their interest in the European integration process. By providing a wide range of national and European facts and figures, this investigation represents a comprehensive reference guide to scholars, practitioners, and students of the European Parliament, European elections, political parties, European Union and comparative politics.

Foreword J.H.H. Weiler

Preface Donatella M. Viola

PrologueDonatella M. Viola

Part I: General Framework

1. The Genesis of the European Parliament: from Appointed Consultative Assembly to Directly Elected Legislative Body Donatella M. Viola

2. European Parliament’s Internal Composition and Organization Donatella M. Viola

3. European Parliament Elections TheoriesDonatella M. Viola

Part II: Country Case Reviews

The Old Member States

The Founding Members

4. France Julien Navarro

5. Germany Siegfried Schieder and José M. Magone

6. ItalyDonatella M. Viola

7. BelgiumNathalie Brack andJean-Benoit Pilet

8. The Netherlands Hans Vollaard, Gerrit Voerman and Nelleke van de Walle

9. Luxembourg Patrick Dumont, Raphaël Kies and Philippe Poirier

The First Enlargement Countries

10. The United Kingdom Julie Smith

11. IrelandRichard Dunphy

12. DenmarkCarina Bischoff and Marlene Wind

The Second and Third Enlargement Countries

13. GreeceMaria M. Mendrinou

14. SpainJosé M. Magone

15. PortugalJosé M. Magone

The Fourth Enlargement Countries

16. AustriaSylvia Kritzinger and Karin Liebhart

17. Finland Tapio Raunio

18. SwedenCarina Bischoff and Marlene Wind

The New Member States

The Fifth Enlargement CountriesSouthern Mediterranean Countries

19. MaltaRoderick Pace

20. Cyprus Kalliope Agapiou-Josephides

Central and Eastern European Countries

21. Slovenia Danica Fink-Hafner and Tomaž Deželan

22. Estonia Piret Ehin

23. LatviaJānis Ikstens

24. LithuaniaIrmina Matonytė

25. Czech RepublicMichal Klíma

26. SlovakiaMarek Rybář

27. HungaryAttila Ágh and Sándor Kurtán

28. Poland Jerzy Jaskiernia

29. Bulgaria Dobrin Kanev and Katia Hristova-Valtcheva

30. Romania Gabriela Borz

Final Remarks: Comparative Analysis of European Elections Donatella M. Viola

Epilogue: Old and New Trends in the 2014 European Election Donatella M. Viola

Donatella M. Viola, PhD London School of Economics, is Assistant Professor in Politics and International Relations at the University of Calabria, Italy.