On the one hand, the EU enlargement of 2004/7 brought into the EU 12 new member states ten of which are post-communist countries. On the other, the Lisbon Treaty signed in 2007 states that the 'Union shall be founded on representative democracy' and its political parties contribute 'to express the will of the citizens'.
Is representative (party) democracy possible in the enlarged and more diverse Union? What are the constraints and opportunities for its political parties? This study provides a systematic assessment of the impact of enlargement on political parties at the EU level. Theoretically, it builds on the literature on partisan formation and development to frame the consequences of the Union's widening.
Empirically, it undertakes an extensive analysis combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Review: This book addresses important questions about comparative and EU politics. Aptly combining different methods and data, and written in a clear and accessible style, it shows that the Europarties have effectively survived their own Eastward enlargement.
As the Europarties are gaining momentum in the EU, this book could not be more topical. - Sergio Fabbrini, Professor of Political Science and Director, LUISS School of Government, Rome Edoardo Bressanelli's book successfully shows that the conditions might be mature for the enlarged Europarties to play a more important role in the EU beyond the European Parliament arena.
Several proposals to consolidate their role as representative agents are thoroughly discussed. The book is timely and of utmost interest to policy-makers. - Marco Peronaci, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU The election of many anti-European national parties to the European Parliament is a challenge to its institutions.
But pressure to adapt to the multi-national politics of European parties is a challenge to anti-European MEPs. Edoardo Bressanelli's new book offers an excellent empirical guide to understandi how Europarties work. Richard Rose, author of Representing Europeans: A Pragmatic Approach In his book, Bressanelli presents an innovative analysis of the impact of the 'big bang' enlargement of the European Union on parties at the European level.
Based on his outstanding research, Bressanelli was awarded the Linz-Rokkan Prize by the European University Institute in 2013. Fabrizio Bernardi, Professor of Sociology, European University Institute, Italy
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