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 in the field. 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 brief 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 focusing on the 2014 EP contest with a detailed analysis of the newly elected European Assembly in terms of political group and gender composition.

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 for scholars, practitioners and students of the European Parliament, European elections, political parties, European Union and comparative politics.

Contents:

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 theories - Donatella M. Viola

Part II: Country Reviews
The Old Member States
The founding members
4. France - Julien Navarro
5. Germany - Siegfried Schieder and José M. Magone
6. Italy - Donatella M. Viola
7. Belgium - Nathalie Brack and Jean-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. Ireland - Richard Dunphy
12. Denmark - Carina Bischoff and Marlene Wind

The second and third enlargement countries
13. Greece - Maria M. Mendrinou
14. Spain - José M. Magone
15. Portugal - José M. Magone

The fourth enlargement countries
16. Austria - Sylvia Kritzinger and Karin Liebhart
17. Finland - Tapio Raunio
18. Sweden - Carina Bischoff and Marlene Wind

The New Member States
The fifth enlargement countries
Southern Mediterranean countries
19. Malta - Roderick Pace
20. Cyprus - Kalliope Agapiou-Josephides

Central and Eastern European countries
21. Slovenia - Danica Fink-Hafner and Tomaž Deželan
22. Estonia - Piret Ehin
23. Latvia - Jānis Ikstens
24. Lithuania - Irmina Matonytė
25. Czech Republic - Michal Klíma
26. Slovakia - Marek Rybář
27. Hungary - Attila Ágh and Sándor Kurtán
28. Poland - Jerzy Jaskiernia
29. Bulgaria - Dobrin Kanev and Katia Hristova-Valtcheva 30. Romania Gabriela Borz and Alina Mihaela Stănciulescu

31. Final remarks: Comparative analysis of European elections - Donatella M. Viola
32. Epilogue: Old and new trends in the 2014 European election - Donatella M. Viola