The ‘Russia Threat’ in the Eyes of National Parliamentarians: An Opportunity for Foreign Policy Integration?

Abstract:

This study aims to understand whether recent tensions between the EU and Russia are likely to increase support for a common European foreign policy among national political elites. Although the EU as a whole is still far from being able to speak with one voice, it is difficult to explain the reasons sovereign states decide to cooperate in foreign policy. This study relies on two detailed élite surveys describing the opinions of national parliamentarians in 16 EU member states before and after the Russo–Georgian War in the summer of 2008. The results show that following the war, the perception of a threat from Russia helps persuade the least Euro-enthusiastic MPs to support a common EU foreign policy.