The 2024 European Parliament Elections
A Turn to the Right in the Shadow of War
- 2025
- Book
- Editors
- Michael Kaeding
- Manuel Müller
- Alexander Hoppe
- Book Series
- The Future of Europe
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
About this book
Released shortly after the 2024 European Parliament elections, this book gathers contributions that analyze the elections from various perspectives. The main objective is to offer a timely assessment of different facets such as electoral systems, electoral campaigns, the public perception of the elections, the role of European parties, determinants of voting behavior, and the consequences of the electoral results for European governance. In addition to analyses from European studies, perspectives from other (sub)disciplines and research areas, such as election, party, communication and governance research, are featured in the volume. The authors, which consist of accomplished academics and civil society actors, present a highly diverse range of analyses, individually very rich and based on solid original research. Taken together, their contributions offer the reader a comprehensive understanding of the issues, parties, and mechanisms behind the European elections of 2024.
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Table of Contents
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Frontmatter
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The 2024 European Parliament Election: A Turn to the Right in the Shadow of War
Manuel Müller, Michael Kaeding, Alexander HoppeThe 2024 European Parliament election took place against a backdrop of multiple crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the escalation of the Middle East conflict. These crises directly impacted the lives of EU citizens, influencing their political attitudes and behaviors. The election saw a significant shift to the right, with far-right parties making substantial gains and achieving their strongest overall result ever. This shift was not uniform across all member states, with some countries experiencing decreases in far-right support. The election also highlighted the ongoing debate over the cordon sanitaire, with the EPP exploring new majority options that includeAI Generated
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AbstractThe evolution of European elections from 2014 to 2024 reflects the unfolding of a broader European polycrisis. Yet while the euro crisis, the asylum crisis, Brexit and other challenges had already left their mark on the 2014 and 2019 elections, by 2024, crises had become even more immediate: the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and economic instability fueled voter concerns. While turnout remained remarkably stable in comparison to 2019, the 2024 elections brought a turn to the right with shifting majorities and new political groups in the European Parliament. These results in turn also shaped the distribution of top jobs after the election and might well have a lasting impact on politics and policy-making in the European Parliament, where the cordon sanitaire towards far-right parties remains a key contested issue. -
Parties and Electoral Systems
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Frontmatter
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The EU Party System Between Fragmentation, Polarisation and National Interests
Enrico LiedtkeThe chapter delves into the evolving European party system, focusing on the structural changes that have emerged since the 2024 European elections. It examines the external structure, noting the increased fragmentation and the rise of EU-sceptical parties, which are reshaping the political balance of power. The internal structure of the party system is also analyzed, revealing disintegration tendencies among extreme and radical parties, particularly on the right and left fringes. The chapter concludes by discussing the implications of these changes for policy-making and political dynamics at the EU level, emphasizing the need for greater Europeanization and organizational coherence among political parties to address the challenges posed by increased fragmentation and polarisation.AI Generated
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AbstractThe 2024 European elections have brought renewed dynamism to the EU party system. Developments in recent elections, which have led to greater fragmentation and pluralisation of the European party landscape, have intensified once again. The strengthening of radical forces and the emergence of new political groups and parties at the European level are also increasing the polarisation of political competition. At the same time, erosion tendencies can be observed within the European party families, which are due to ideological shifts and insufficient organisational Europeanisation of the national parties. Against this background, this article takes a closer look at the external and internal structural changes in the European party system in order to assess the resulting political consequences. The changes in the party system not only have an impact on parliamentary work but also challenge the relationships between the institutions involved in legislation. -
“Parties of Parties?”: Europarty Headquarters Agency and Membership Selection
Tobias Gerhard SchminkeThis chapter delves into the intricate world of European political parties (Europarties), focusing on the agency of their headquarters in membership selection processes. It challenges the conventional view of Europarties as mere 'parties of parties' with little autonomy, highlighting their strategic role in shaping EU politics. The chapter explores the formal dimensions of membership accession, as outlined in Regulation 1141/2014, and delves into the informal processes that significantly influence these dynamics. Through qualitative interviews with Europarty representatives and staff, it reveals how headquarters actively approach potential members, prioritizing based on ideology and resources. The chapter also examines the impact of Europarty size and ideology on membership strategies, with larger, pro-EU parties focusing on grassroots movements and smaller parties adopting a more reactive approach. It concludes that Europarty headquarters play a central, semi-autonomous role in membership admission, challenging the assumption that Europarties are merely creatures of their members. The chapter also discusses the role of Europarties in the political integration of non-EU European countries and their influence on EU institutions and leadership personnel selection. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of Europarties, their membership structures, and the dynamics shaping their evolution.AI Generated
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AbstractEuroparties—multinational alliances uniting political parties aligned by ideology on the European level—are often viewed as creatures of their members with little to no endogenous agency. This chapter examines this perspective from the prism of membership admission in the context of the EU election campaign 2024. The central research question is: “Who are the actors in the admission process of new Europarty members, and what is their role?” Party statutes and semi-structured interviews with current and former Europarty staff and political personnel from the 2024 EU election campaign reveal that the headquarters play an essential yet informal role in the membership admission process. As such, they shape the membership, which controls decision-making within the Europarty. The chapter concludes that while European political parties remain “parties of parties”, they are creatures of their membership as much as the membership is a creature of the European political party headquarters. -
A Fluid Parliament: Changes in the Composition of EP Political Groups Ahead and After the 2024 Elections
Max Becker, Nicolai von OndarzaThis chapter delves into the dynamic nature of political groups within the European Parliament, focusing on the significant changes that occurred ahead of and following the 2024 elections. The analysis highlights the fluidity of group compositions, with a particular emphasis on the far-right spectrum. The dissolution of the 'Identity and Democracy' (ID) group and the formation of new groups, such as 'Patriots for Europe' (PfE) and 'Europe of Sovereign Nations' (ESN), are examined in detail. The chapter also explores the conditions under which these shifts take place, including policy differences, national party splits, and personal changes in party affiliation. The impact of these changes on the power balance within the Parliament is assessed, with a focus on the symbolic and practical implications. The chapter concludes by discussing the potential for further movements and mergers among the far-right groups, and the challenges these shifts pose for forming pro-European majorities.AI Generated
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AbstractThe European Parliament is often perceived as a stable institution composed of distinct political groups, akin to national parliaments. However, a closer examination reveals an inherent fluidity in the composition of EP political groups, particularly influenced by the dynamics among national political parties. This chapter explores the shifting alliances and the reconfiguration of these groups within the EP in the run-up to, and following, the 2024 elections. Focusing on changes that took place during the 9th legislative period (2019–2024) and the immediate aftermath of the 2024 elections, the analysis highlights how these shifts impact the symbolic and de facto balance of power within the EP.The 2024 elections were marked by significant transformations, especially on the far-right of the EU’s political spectrum, leading to the dissolution of the ‘Identity and Democracy’ (ID) group and the emergence of two new groups: ‘Patriots for Europe’ (PfE) and ‘Europe of Sovereign Nations’ (ESN). Meanwhile, the centre-left and centre-right groups experienced relative stability, highlighting contrasting dynamics across the political landscape. This chapter investigates the circumstances surrounding these changes, including ideological splits, policy disagreements, and individual MEPs’ shifts in party affiliations.The analysis reveals that while the overall power distribution in the EP has remained largely intact, the symbolic consequences are profound—altering group rankings and alliances. These developments underline the unique challenges faced by the European Parliament in managing fragmentation and maintaining political cohesion in a transnational context. The findings are also relevant for the future majorities in the 2024–2029 Parliament, as further changes amongst the political groups are likely, in particular, at the far-right. -
Do Birds of a Feather Flock Together? Why European Right-Wing Populists Group Separately at the European Parliament: The Case of the 2024 Elections
Unai Gómez-HernándezThe chapter examines the fragmentation of European right-wing populist parties in the European Parliament, focusing on the 2024 elections. It explores the ideological and pragmatic reasons behind their separation into distinct political groups: the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Patriots for Europe (PfE), and Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN). The analysis considers the historical context, including the formation and evolution of these groups, and compares the current situation with previous legislatures. The chapter also delves into the core ideological concepts and policy proposals of each group, highlighting their similarities and differences. It concludes that while these parties share a common core ideology centered on national sovereignty, pragmatic reasons such as national party competition and tactical decisions drive the formation of multiple groups. The chapter uses qualitative coding methods to analyze political documents and press releases, providing a detailed and nuanced understanding of the topic.AI Generated
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AbstractRadical right populist parties have increased their numbers in the EP since the 8th legislature, when they represented around 70 MEPs and were grouped around three main political groups: the ECR, the ENF and the FDD. In the 9th legislature, their numbers increased to 130 MEPs and, after the departure of the British UKIP, they remained divided into two political groups: the ECR and ID. In the 10th legislature, three political groups—the ECR, the PfE and the ESN—make up the largest party family in the EP. Understanding why and how they group will be a crucial issue in the coming years. This is precisely the aim of this chapter.In order to answer the research question, the chapter carries out a double analysis, on the ideological and pragmatic levels. Firstly, their different political manifestos for the 2024 European elections, as well as the founding documents of the new parties (constitutive documents, press statements …) have been taken into account. Secondly, the research considers pragmatic elements such as the political competition between parties or party dynamics in previous legislatures. The main method used was text analysis through coding in the above-mentioned documents. The research also includes a brief analysis of the groupings of previous EP legislatures before focusing on the dynamics of 2024.The results indicate that the ideas of the radical right are compatible in the EP, but their party competition in their MS is not. -
More than a Transnational Experiment? Volt and DiEM25 from the 2019 to the 2024 European Elections
Torben Fischer, Jasper FinkeldeyThis chapter delves into the journey of Volt and DiEM25, two pan-European party movements, from the 2019 to the 2024 European Parliament elections. It examines their electoral participation and outcomes at both EU and member state levels, as well as their transnational character and strategies to establish themselves in EU multi-level governance. The analysis reveals that Volt has significantly expanded its pan-European engagement, securing a stronger presence in the EP, while DiEM25's electoral participation and vote result have declined. The text also highlights the divergent paths taken by the two parties, with Volt adopting a more pragmatic approach and DiEM25 maintaining a radical EU reform agenda. Furthermore, it explores the challenges faced by both parties in balancing their transnational approach with the need to adapt to national political landscapes. The conclusion offers insights into the future prospects of these party movements, suggesting that Volt is better positioned to establish itself as a long-term political actor, while DiEM25 may need to rethink its strategy to gain electoral momentum.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter examines the development of the pan-European party movements Volt and DiEM25 from the 2019 to the 2024 EP elections. It takes stock of the electoral results and the transnational character of both party movements and examines their strategies to establish themselves as pro-European challengers in the EU. While Volt managed to increase its vote share compared to 2019 and established itself, albeit modestly, as a new political actor in the EU’s multi-level governance, DiEM25 remained largely electorally insignificant. The chapter highlights that Volt took a pragmatic approach to improve its electoral outcomes, while DiEM25 maintained its transformative agenda, reflecting its hybrid movement-party character. -
The 2024 European Parliament Elections: Åland and Territorial Autonomy Representation in the European Union
Hasan AkintugThis chapter delves into the 2024 European Parliament Elections on Åland, focusing on the representation of territorial autonomy within the European Union. It explores the historical context of Åland's autonomy, dating back to 1921, and compares it with other notable cases such as Greenland, the Faroe Islands, South Tyrol, and the German-speaking community in Belgium. The analysis centers on how Åland's claims for representation in the European Parliament played a role in the 2024 elections and how these claims relate to broader European issues. The chapter also examines the tension between proportional representation and territorial identity, providing a nuanced understanding of Åland's political dynamics. Additionally, it discusses the unique party system on Åland and its role in European elections, highlighting the cooperation between Ålandic parties and the Swedish People's Party (SFP) in Finland. The chapter concludes with an analysis of the 2024 election results and the potential lessons from the Åland case for other similar examples of territorial autonomy in Europe.AI Generated
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AbstractThe Åland Islands stick out in many regards in Europe and in the Nordic region. It is a demilitarized and neutralized territory with an autonomy regime anchored in a complex legal regime. A Swedish speaking territorial autonomy within a bilingual Finland, Åland is the only Nordic autonomous territory that willingly remains in the European Union as opposed to the Faroe Islands which have never joined, and Greenland which has left upon gaining home rule. The Ålandic political leadership has always demanded a separate seat within the European Parliament as a matter of principle since the EU accession process began for Finland. These demands have traditionally been justified on the grounds that Åland, like other member states, has transferred a part of its legislative competences to the supranational European Union. Ålandic politicians have argued that Åland should be compensated for this transfer of authority to the supranational level. Furthermore, Åland utilizes other European cases such as the former seat of Greenland in the European Parliament and the seat reserved for the German speaking community as European precedent for their cause. So far, the regional Ålandic party system has relied heavily on the Swedish People’s Party (SFP), a Swedish-speaking linguistic catch-all party with a liberal outlook, to ensure Åland has some sort of insight within the European Union. The cooperation with SFP has meant running (so far unsuccessful) candidates on the party’s list and having an Åland appointed advisor to the SFP MEP. This article will focus on the 2024 European Parliament elections on the Åland islands in light of other comparable cases of territorial autonomy in Europe and on the sui generis cooperation with the SFP particularly in a context where SFP’s own seat may be in danger. -
How Many Votes to Win a Seat? Distortions of Electoral Equality in the 2024 European Election
Manuel MüllerThe chapter delves into the disparities in electoral equality during the 2024 European Election, revealing significant variations in the number of votes needed to secure a parliamentary seat across different member states. It identifies four key factors contributing to these distortions: degressive proportionality, differences in voter turnout, the proportion of lost votes, and rounding effects. The analysis shows that these factors led to substantial differences in the value of votes across the EU, with some parties requiring far fewer votes to win a seat than others. The chapter also examines how these distortions impact the representation of political groups in the European Parliament, highlighting both overrepresentation and underrepresentation among different groups. It concludes by discussing potential solutions to mitigate these distortions, such as transnational lists or the tandem system, and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive reform of European electoral law to ensure fairer representation in future elections.AI Generated
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AbstractThe democratic principle of electoral equality applies to European elections at national level, but not EU-wide, as the number of votes required to win a seat strongly varies across member states. This is due to several factors, in particular the “degressive proportionality” of national seat quotas as well as national differences in voter turnout and in the number of “lost” votes, i.e. votes not taken into account in the allocation of seats. In addition, rounding effects can lead to high differences in the seats-to-votes ratio even between parties from the same member state. This paper examines the extent to which these distortion factors affected the 2024 European Parliament elections, both with regard to national parties and to the transnational political groups. It shows that, while the seats-to-votes ratios of individual parties vary strongly, the distortions in the representation ratio are much less severe at the level of the political groups, where more and less “expensive” seats tend to balance each other out. Still, electoral inequality remains a structural problem for the European Parliament, which cannot be resolved without a comprehensive reform of European electoral law. -
From 27 to 37: A Possible Scenario for the Composition of the European Parliament in a Fully Enlarged European Union
Oliver SchwarzThis chapter delves into the potential future of the European Parliament in a scenario where the EU expands to include 37 member states. By employing the FPS method for seat allocation, it projects the distribution of seats among political groups and analyzes the resulting shifts in power dynamics. The chapter also examines the implications for coalition-building and the political landscape of the EU. Key topics include the FPS seat allocation method, the projected composition of the European Parliament, the impact on political groups, and the future of coalition dynamics. The analysis reveals that while traditional groups like the EPP and S&D remain influential, the rise of unaffiliated parties and the fragmentation of the Parliament present new challenges. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of a fair and equitable seat allocation system to ensure the representativeness and responsiveness of the European Parliament in an ever-changing Union.AI Generated
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AbstractThe Russo-Ukrainian war has intensified the EU accession interest of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and accelerated the enlargement processes in Southeast Europe. This chapter explores a possible scenario for the composition of the European Parliament in a fully enlarged European Union. The projection is based on official European election results and national seat projections, using the FPS method to simulate the composition of the European Parliament in an EU-37 scenario and to analyse potential impacts on the future political landscape of the EU. The findings offer insights into how enlargement could reshape political dynamics and decision-making processes within the European Union.
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Election Campaign Issues
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Frontmatter
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Divided Over Redistribution: Europarty Manifestos and the Integration of Core State Powers
Christian Freudlsperger, Martin WeinrichThis chapter delves into the evolving landscape of European integration, focusing on the differing positions of mainstream pro-EU parties on core state powers. It identifies two distinct models of integration: the redistributive polity, which emphasizes EU-level solidarity and capacity-building, and the regulatory polity, which prioritizes national self-reliance and common standards. The analysis is based on an examination of Europarty manifestos for the 2024 European Parliament elections, covering five domains of core state powers: taxation, fiscal policy, internal security, external security, and border and migration policy. The findings reveal that while mainstream parties generally support integration in these domains, their positions differ significantly across policy fields and ideological lines. Centre-left parties tend to support transnational redistribution in economic policy fields, while centre-right parties favour European solidarity in areas of internal and external security. The chapter also highlights the impact of recent crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine, on party competition over EU integration. It concludes that the 'polycrisis' of the past fifteen years has led to a discernible differentiation of integration positions between parties, moving beyond a simple pro- and anti-EU distinction. This chapter offers valuable insights into the future of European integration and the political dynamics shaping it.AI Generated
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AbstractHaving long shied away from proactively politicizing issues of European integration, the past crisis decade put generally pro-EU parties under pressure to spell out more clearly which kind of Europe they support. We distinguish two such fundamental ideas of Europe: the redistributive polity, organizing transnational solidarity, and the regulatory polity, strengthening national self-reliance. Both notions are integrationist but they come with distinct policy implications. How do Europarties position themselves on either of these polity ideas? We investigate this question on Europarty manifestos published in the run-up to the 2024 EP elections. Party support for redistribution, we find, is generally driven by their ideological positioning. While progressive and left parties tend towards EU-level redistribution in areas of taxation and fiscal policy, conservative and right parties are more supportive of European solidarity in the domains of internal security, defence, and border and migration policy. Our analysis demonstrates that mainstream parties competed visibly over EU-level redistribution in the run-up to the 2024 EP elections, providing voters with a clearer choice for different notions of EU integration beyond just voting for pro- or anti-European forces. -
Europarties: Continuous Advocacy for Further Integration, Thin Agendas for Constitutional Reform
Karl Magnus Johansson, Tapio RaunioThis chapter delves into the 2024 European Parliament election manifestos of Europarties, focusing on their advocacy for EU integration and institutional reform. The analysis compares the manifestos of major party families like the EPP, PES, and ALDE, as well as smaller parties such as the EGP, EDP, EFA, ECR, EL, and ECPM, revealing varying degrees of commitment to constitutional change. The chapter highlights the EGP's explicit federalist stance, the EPP's and PES's cautious approach due to internal divisions, and the ECR's defense of national sovereignty. It also explores the manifestos as indicators of party cohesion, suggesting that larger Europarties with diverse member parties tend to have more generic programmes, while smaller parties can agree on more concrete reform proposals. The findings raise questions about the internal dynamics and future of Europarties, pointing to the need for further research on their influence and decision-making processes within the EU.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter examines the Europarty manifestos for the 2024 European Parliament elections and asks what these platforms reveal about the EU and about Europarties themselves. The chapter pays particular attention to positions on the institutional development of the Union. The focus is on the three largest Europarties, the European People’s Party, the Party of European Socialists, and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, but the analysis includes the full range of Europarties. A common impression from the manifesto analysis is that policy issues receive much more attention than institutional issues. It also finds that the manifestos of EPP and PES contain few concrete reform proposals about EU governance, which may reflect internal divisions. Among the other Europarties, the European Green Party stands out with its explicitly federalist manifesto. On the whole, the left-leaning Europarties tend to be more in favour of supranational reforms. But, overall, the main Europarties remain committed to the cause of further integration. -
Climate Change and Political Parties: Higher Salience and More Diversification Over Climate Change in the 2024 EP Elections?
Daniela Braun, Djamila Jabra, Jan PollexThis chapter examines the role of climate change in the 2024 European Parliament elections, focusing on the salience and policy framing by major transnational party federations. It explores whether Europarties have continued to prioritise climate change, given the European Green Deal's prominence since 2019, or if there has been a shift towards economic policy due to recent challenges. The analysis reveals a 'greening' trend across all parties, with left-leaning parties emphasizing climate issues more than centre-right parties. The study also investigates how parties frame climate change, with centre-left parties more likely to declare a climate crisis and integrate climate policy objectives into other areas. The European Greens show the most intensive engagement with climate policy, while centre-right parties like the EPP and ECR prioritise economic objectives. The chapter concludes that while climate policy is more salient in 2024, there are clear left-right divides in its prioritisation and framing, with centre-left parties advocating for urgent climate protection measures and integrating climate objectives into broader policy areas.AI Generated
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AbstractThe EU faced several crises during the Parliament’s last term, notably the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, advanced by the new Commission President von der Leyen and her European Green Deal, one of the major issues the Parliament was supposed to tackle was the climate crisis and the transition to climate neutrality. In line with the European Green Deal, the European Commission indeed prioritised mitigating climate change as part of the European agenda after the 2019 EP elections. However, in the later period of the legislature, farmers’ protests across Europe encouraged in particular conservative political parties to challenge this European Green Deal. Against this background, we expected that the issue of how best to combat climate change would be widely debated in campaigns for the 2024 EP elections. Therefore, based on manifesto data from the main transnational party federations, we empirically study (using a mixed-methods approach) both the salience and framing of policies covering climate change-related issues in the 2024 EP election campaign. Our findings suggest that in these elections there is some evidence for a “greening” of Europarties: climate policy is more salient and parties engage intensively with the issue. However, marked differences regarding the importance accorded to climate policy emerge along a left-right divide. This is in line with much of the current research on partisan politics. -
“Another Brick in the Wall”? Asylum and Migration as a Campaign Issue for the 2024 European Elections
Michail SchwartzThe chapter delves into the heated debate on asylum and migration (A&M) in the European Union, a topic that has gained significant prominence ahead of the 2024 European Elections. It examines the newly agreed EU Asylum and Migration Pact and its impact on the political landscape, with a focus on how different EU political parties address this issue in their electoral manifestos. The analysis is structured around four key areas: the general approach to A&M, Search & Rescue (S&R) and Frontex, the externalisation of A&M policies, and legal migration. The chapter reveals a clear divide between centre-right parties, which advocate for stronger border controls and a security-oriented approach, and centre-left parties, which emphasize humanitarian aspects and human rights. It also highlights the nuances within these broad categories, with parties like the EPP and ALDE adopting more balanced positions. The chapter concludes by noting the likely shift towards a further securitisation of EU borders and a toughening of EU A&M policy, while also acknowledging the persistent contradictions and dilemmas in the EU's A&M governance structure.AI Generated
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AbstractEver since the creation of the Schengen area in 1985, and especially after the 2015–2016 migration crisis, Asylum and Migration has been high on the EU agenda, not only because of the constant migration flows reaching Europe since the early ‘70 s, but also due to its close interconnectedness with the core essence of the process of European integration: the creation of an internal space of free movement. This chapter describes and discusses the debate around Asylum and Migration ahead of the 2024 European Elections by analysing the way in which the European political parties dealt with it in their electoral programmes. In particular, the analysis focuses on four broad issues around which the debate on Asylum and Migration was expected: (1) General approach to Asylum and Migration; (2) Search & Rescue and Frontex; (3) Externalisation of Asylum and Migration policies; (4) Legal migration. The analysis reveals how the “security vs. human rights” approach is the main cleavage arising among the parties’ proposals, emerging consistently throughout the four categories scrutinised, although in different forms and nuances. -
New Issue, Old Topics? How Parties Value AI Politics in the EU Elections 2024
Anne Goldmann, Kristina WeissenbachThis chapter delves into the role of AI in the 2024 European elections, focusing on how political parties from various families addressed AI topics in their election manifestos. The analysis reveals that AI was predominantly framed as a future technology with positive connotations, while mentions of risks were less frequent. The study categorizes AI-related issues along the socio-cultural (GAL-TAN) and socio-economic (left-right) dimensions, showing how parties linked AI to their core topics and ideological values. For instance, the EPP emphasized AI's economic potential and competitiveness, while the European Greens focused on environmental and surveillance issues. The chapter also introduces the concept of AI guiding principles, highlighting the prevalence of human-centred and ethical considerations. It concludes that while AI was not a central campaign topic, parties approached it in ways that aligned with their established ideologies and cleavages, suggesting a unique 'European approach' to AI. The analysis is based on a qualitative content analysis of party manifestos and interviews with MEPs, providing a comprehensive overview of how AI is perceived and positioned in the European political landscape.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter examines how artificial intelligence (AI) was addressed by political parties in the 2024 European elections. Drawing on the backdrop of cleavages according to the GAL-TAN dimensions the impact of AI as a new issue is researched. Through a qualitative analysis of party manifestos from major European and national parties in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland, as well as expert interviews with Members of the European Parliament, the study finds that AI was not a prominent campaign issue. Instead, it was often framed as a transformative future-oriented technology. Party families varied in their approach: left-leaning parties focused on regulation and societal impacts, while right-leaning parties emphasised economic opportunities. A European consensus emerged around value-based AI principles, including ethics, transparency, and human-centric governance, reflecting alignment with EU values.The chapter concludes that AI’s role in electoral politics remains secondary, reinforcing existing ideological divides rather than disrupting them. Future research should explore longitudinal trends in AI-related party positions and their potential to reshape European political competition. The implementation of the AI Act and further technological developments will be pivotal in shaping this evolving discourse. -
Defending Democracy from Inside: The 2024 Elections in the Aftermath of Qatargate
Johanna Kantola, Emilia Korkea-aho, Hanna WassThis chapter delves into the repercussions of the Qatargate scandal on the 2024 EU elections, focusing on four key areas: political responses, reforms, election manifestos, and voter reactions. The political responses to Qatargate were swift and multifaceted, with the European Parliament (EP) initiating a broad agenda for integrity reform. Key changes included stricter meeting rules for MEPs, a 6-month cooling-off period for former MEPs, and the prohibition of friendship groups with countries that have official Parliamentary delegations. The EP's Rules of Procedure were amended to enhance transparency and accountability. The chapter also examines how Europarties addressed democracy, transparency, and accountability in their election manifestos. While some parties, like the Greens, detailed specific reforms, others focused more on national issues. The voter reactions to Qatargate were complex. Although far-right parties made gains, established parties retained their positions, and voter turnout remained stable. The chapter concludes that the scandal may have mobilized more MEPs than EU citizens, who viewed it as one of many political scandals. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the scandal's impact on the EU's political landscape and the measures taken to restore trust in the institutions.AI Generated
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AbstractAs a far-reaching corruption scandal in December 2022, Qatargate highlighted two critical institutional issues: lobbying and revolving doors, as well as the broader relationships between EU political leaders and stakeholders both within and outside the EU. In this chapter, we pose three questions and tentatively explore the potential impact of the scandal on the 2024 elections. First, how did the political groups of the EP politicise the Qatargate and what type of reforms have been implemented as a response to misconduct? Second, how did the Europarties election manifestos account for the issues of democracy, transparency and accountability of the EU institutions? This is particularly sensitive issue as Europe likes to present itself as a preserver of democratic values in a global competition against authoritarianism. Finally, what was voters’ response to the scandal, which only seemed to underline the democratic deficits embedded in the EU structures at the same time that populist parties both from left and right are increasingly challenging the EU’s legitimacy? This chapter aims to deepen the understanding of the EU elections process and outcomes in light of its largest corruption scandal to date. The EU context offers a unique perspective, as the desire to penalise corrupt politicians may be particularly strong for the EP, which positions itself as a defender of core EU values such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and equality. While we examine the election results, our goal is not to establish a direct causal link between the scandal and voting behaviour in the 2024 elections. Our analysis draws on close reading of EP internal documents, Europarty election manifestos, and academic literature on how scandals influence voting behaviour.
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- Title
- The 2024 European Parliament Elections
- Editors
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Michael Kaeding
Manuel Müller
Alexander Hoppe
- Copyright Year
- 2025
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-031-89455-8
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-031-89454-1
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89455-8
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