Paul Kennedy The current stalemate in Spain over forming a government following elections last December is a function of the country’s shift away from a two-party system at national level, writes Paul Kennedy. He argues that, although polls suggest that new elections would yield a similar result, how leaders have approached the negotiations could impact …
Tapio Raunio The current citizens’ initiative in Finland on the euro has its roots in public opposition to the single currency, but has no serious prospect of forcing a change, writes Tapio Raunio. He argues that the initiative symbolises the politicisation of the EU in Finland since the start of the Eurocrisis and that, while …
Kai Oppermann and Paul Taggart The outcome of the UK’s EU referendum will be driven by a number of key factors, many of which might not become clear until after the vote, write Kai Oppermann and Paul Taggart. Drawing on insights from EU referendums in other European states, they outline what we can know about …
Judith Sijstermans The SNP’s policy of pro-Europeanism is more a result of strategy than ideology favourable to European integration, writes Judith Sijstermans. Looking at manifestos, parliamentarians and their records, she suggests that the party’s pragmatic approach to the EU means that, if it is to succeed in persuading voters to back EU membership, it will …
Pontus Odmalm Mainstream political parties in Europe have largely found it difficult to develop coherent policies to address the asylum crisis, writes Pontus Odmalm. He suggests that, unless party elites can connect their ideologies with policy solutions and navigate arguments on policy competence, the response to the crisis may continue to be haphazard and ineffective. …
Dermot Hodson The risk of Grexit – Greek exit from the euro area – has diminished after a summer of dramatic political developments, writes Dermot Hodson, but it has not gone away. High debt levels, uncertainty over further debt relief and the outlook for growth and inflation, he argues, point to persistent contradictions over Greece’s …
James Mitchell In Scotland, despite differences in views and parties, the 1975 EC referendum shares some similarities with the EU referendum today, writes James Mitchell. He suggests that the referendum will be an unpredictable contest with the prospect that Scotland may either vote differently than the rest of the UK or swing the overall UK …
Drew Scott Following a recent seminar and panel discussion on the UK’s EU renegotiation and referendum, Drew Scott reflects on the prospects for Britain’s relationship with the EU. He writes that, with the uncertainty surrounding the role the UK wants to play in Europe, the ultimate positions of the other EU Member States in the …
