Elections and Party Politics
This page collates all of the recent elections and party politics articles published by EUROPP, with all of the articles organised by country.
Austria
Belgium
The demise of symmetry between ‘sister parties’ has opened up a new chapter in Belgian politics
Despite on-going coalition negotiations, regionalist parties remain the clear winners of the 2014 Belgian elections
The early signs are that Belgium is heading for more political deadlock over who should form the next government
The New Flemish Alliance’s decision to join the ECR group says more about Belgian politics than it does about their attitude toward the EU
Bulgaria
Denmark
While the UK considers a ‘Brexit’, Danish Eurosceptics continue to be reluctantly pragmatic over EU membership
Boosted by electoral success, the Danish People’s Party has adopted a more pragmatic line ahead of next year’s general election in Denmark
Ahead of snap elections, Greenland’s independence ambitions could open a window for closer co-operation with the EU
Finland
France
Sarkozy’s return to politics is bound to deepen divisions within the UMP
With both the French government and opposition in crisis, the door is open for Marine Le Pen to move firmly into the mainstream of French politics
The real threat posed by the far-right is not their role in the European Parliament, but their impact on domestic politics
The shock of Sunday’s French municipal elections was the Socialist defeat, not Front National success
Germany
Pegida is only the latest in a long line of German far-right movements to mobilise against Islam
Closer cooperation between the AfD and the ‘Pegida’ movement could reshape the German right
Despite substantial gains in recent German regional elections, the Alternative for Germany may struggle to consolidate its federal presence
Greece
Assessing Syriza’s first month in office: why Greece remains a long way from a break with austerity
Mapping the Greek party system after the 2015 elections: how the economy and Europe have merged into a single issue
The EU’s deal on Greece shows that Europe remains wedded to the politics of austerity
With Greek debt negotiations at a critical phase it is time for Germany to end its policy of ‘muddling through’
The radicalisation of lower middle class Greek families was the key to Syriza’s victory
Why Syriza might be up to the task of tackling corruption in Greece
The ECB’s decision to toughen its stance on Greece signals the end of the Greek government’s honeymoon period
Syriza’s victory in Greece could undermine the effectiveness of EU foreign policy
Syriza won with a radical left programme, but keeping the middle class on side may be key to retaining power
Syriza’s victory underlines the transformation of Greek political culture during the crisis
Syriza is now a mainstream party and there is little for Europe to fear in its electoral success
Syriza leads the polls in Greece, but it remains unclear who the party could enter coalition with after the election
Hungary
Viktor Orbán’s views on the death penalty could push Hungary further to the margins of EU politics
Hungary’s municipal elections are unlikely to see Fidesz loosen its dominant hold over Hungarian politics
With the final votes counted, Fidesz has secured a ‘super-majority’ in Hungary, but it is questionable how fair the election really was
Fidesz have won a clear victory in Hungary’s elections, but their supermajority hangs in the balance
Ireland
Italy
There is little evidence that the proposed reform of Italy’s labour market will actually generate growth or employment
The opposition of trade unions to Renzi’s ‘Jobs Act’ shows they remain a conservative force in Italian politics
Matteo Renzi must work with Italian trade unions rather than against them if he is serious about reforming Italy’s labour market
The European elections in Italy may be a signal that Beppe Grillo’s vision is simply too negative for Italians to accept in the long term
Latvia
Macedonia
Poland
The Polish presidential election highlights increasing disenchantment with the country’s political establishment
Why the 2015 presidential election in Poland could be closer than many expected
The Polish left is in a state of turmoil ahead of the country’s 2015 parliamentary elections
Poland’s disputed local election results have raised questions about the reliability of the Polish electoral process
Romania
Following a tense election campaign, Romania’s new President must work to heal the divisions within the country’s party system
Victor Ponta’s surprise defeat in Romania’s presidential elections could add more volatility to the country’s turbulent party system
Internal party struggles will form the backdrop to Romania’s presidential election in November
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
A ‘basic income’ system could be feasible in Spain, but only by reframing the current debate
The rise of Podemos poses a challenge for pro-independence parties ahead of the 2015 Catalan elections
The Spanish government should offer Catalonia a referendum on federalism, not independence
The only solution to the Catalan question is to recognise that Catalonia is a separate demos capable of deciding its own future
Opinion polling leaves little doubt Podemos could break into the mainstream of Spanish politics at next year’s general election
The Spanish government must find a positive message for Catalonia if it is to reduce support for Catalan independence
The breakthrough of Podemos in Spain poses a serious challenge for the country’s two-party system
Sweden
Turkey
