Opposing Europe in the European Parliament

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Nathalie Brack

   Pages 1-13

3. Political Representation Beyond the Nation State

   • Nathalie Brack

   Pages 15-49

4. Euroscepticism in the European Parliament

   • Nathalie Brack

   Pages 51-81

5. Strategies of Eurosceptic MEPs

   • Nathalie Brack

   Pages 83-114

6. The EP, an “Unrewarding” Location for Eurosceptics?

   • Nathalie Brack

   Pages 115-145

7. Explaining the Roles of Eurosceptic MEPs

   • Nathalie Brack

   Pages 147-171

8. General Conclusion: The Impact of Eurosceptic MEPs

   • Nathalie Brack

   Pages 173-192

9. Back Matter

   Pages 193-213

   PDF

The book provides an in-depth analysis of Eurosceptics’ strategies in the European Parliament. It explores the paradoxical situation of Eurosceptic MEPs: particularly successful during EP elections, how then, once elected, do they operate in a political system they oppose? This book analyses how Eurosceptic MEPs conceive and carry out their mandate within the institution. On the basis of more than 100 interviews, it proposes a typology of four strategies developed by these actors. It also explains the diversity of Eurosceptics’ strategies, showing the relevance of the interaction between the institutional context and the individuals’ preferences. With the growing success of Eurosceptic parties and the challenges they pose to the future of integration, this study also reflects on the consequences of their presence for the EP and for the legitimacy of the EU. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of European politics, European integration, comparative politics, legislative studies and political parties.

• Euroscepticism in the European Parliament
• Eurosceptic Members of the European Parliament
• MEPs opposing the EU
• Eurosceptic parties
• European integration
• leglislative politics in the EU
• political representation beyond the nation state
• political representation in the European parliament
• oppositions to the EU
• Eurosceptic influence in the European parliament
• strategies of Eurosceptic MEPs
• Impact of Eurosceptic MEPs
• Opposing Europe in the European Parliament
• European Union politics

“Nathalie Brack’s book is a timely and significant contribution to our understanding of opposition to Europe. Relying on an impressive amount of empirical data, it offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the attitudes, behavior and strategies of Eurosceptic MEPs. A must read for anyone interested in EU affairs but also more broadly, in the activities of anti-system actors in democratic political systems.” (Professor Olivier Costa, College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium)

“Euro-sceptics in the European Parliament are as diverse as the European landscape, whether we analyse their role conceptions, attitudes to the EU, or parliamentary practices. Instead of wishing them away, those committed to the European project should embrace them for their democratic footprint, as the living proof that opposition is possible in the European Union. The conclusions reached by Nathalie Brack in this fascinating book offering the first systematic analysis of Eurosceptic MEPs deserve a central place in our contemporary debates on the future of Europe.” (Professor Kalypso Nicolaïdis, University of Oxford, UK)

• Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium

  Nathalie Brack

Nathalie Brack is currently FNRS Researcher and Lecturer in political science at the Cevipol, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium. Her PhD dissertation on Eurosceptic MEPs was awarded the Xavier Mabille Prize of the Belgian Political Science Association and was shortlisted for the 2014 ECPR Jean Blondel prize. Her research interests include Euroscepticism, EU politics and institutions, and legislative studies.

Policies and ethics