Euroscepticism and the Future of Europe

"The European Parliament elections in May 2019 did not bring about the rise of populism in Europe that had been feared by many. Instead, while populism was contained, a broad pro-European majority emerged that today carries the new European Commission with its ambitious green, digital and geopolitical agenda.  However, Euroscepticism remains a significant force to be reckoned with in national and EU-policy making. The present book offers a better understanding of the different types of Euroscepticism that exist across Europe. It also shows that Euroscepticism is best addressed by understanding well the often valid concerns that are at the origins of Eurosceptic forces. If this is done in time, Euroscepticism is not something to be afraid of. It is part of a vibrant European democracy that is resilient enough to embrace those who criticise the reality of the European project with good arguments; and that stands ready to develop and improve day by day to become a more perfect Union.
- Martin Selmayr, Head of the European Commissions representation in Austria

"This book comes at the right time. European integration seems more contested than ever, but is it really? This book answers this question by probing into 40 shades of Euroscepticism, within and beyond the EU Member States. It is a must read for academics and practitioners alike."
- Christine Neuhold, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands

"With this book, the authors offer readers of European politics a treasure trove, with valuable insights into the variety of populist and nationalist forces that oppose mainstream European integration. Faced with such a jumble of eurosceptic parties pursuing narrow and in many cases reactionary agendas, the need for proper federal political parties becomes self-evident. Only then will the diverse interests and aspirations of citizens be given realistic expression at the EU level."
- Andrew Duff, President, The Spinelli Group

This book sheds light on how the increasing prominence of Eurosceptic and nationalist parties is having an impact on the thinking of mainstream parties, their representatives in the European Parliament, and the future of Europe. It is timed to coincide with the strategic vision of Council, Commission, and Parliament, as well as the next phase of Brexit negotiations. The book provides perspectives on the future of the European project from authors in all the EU Member States, as well as neighboring European countries and potential applicant nations. Furthermore, it includes a Foreword by the Vice-president of the European Parliament.

With many Eurosceptic parties now in national government, or winning European elections and thus exerting influence over the national debate, this book maps and analyses the nature and impact of Euroscepticismand new nationalist tendenciesin the different party systems of Europe.

As national political parties are the gatekeepers of the process of political representation, they play a pivotal role in mobilizing civil society and in setting the political agenda. They shape politics at a national level, but also determine the way in which Europe plays outor does not play outas a political issue. Thus, it is from the national capitals that the very future of Europe emerges.

Michael Kaeding is Former Chairman (2016-2019) and current Honorary Board Member of the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA). He is Professor of European Integration and European Union Politics at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and holds an ad personam Jean Monnet Chair. Johannes Pollak is Rector of and Professor of Political Science at the Webster Vienna Private University, Austria. He is also Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, and Lecturer at the Universities of Salzburg and Vienna. Paul Schmidt is Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Politics in Vienna. Previously, he worked at the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, both in Vienna and at their Representative Office in Brussels at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the European Union.

Albania: will the EU's Ambiguity Lead to Euroscepticism? - Leonie Vrugtman.- Austria: Taking a Walk on the Wild Side - Paul Schmidt.- Belgium: Breaking the Consensus? Eurosceptic Parties - Wouter Wolfs and Steven Van Hecke.- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ethnopolitics and Hopeful Euroscepticism - No light at the End of the European Tunnel? - Vedran D¸ihi.- Bulgaria: Creeping EU-scepticism - The Tacit Consent that Fuels Populism - Hristo Panchugov and Ivan Nachev.- Croatia: The Government should take Citizens Seriously - Hrvoje Butkovi.- Cyprus: A Pro-European Attitude, but Scepticism Still Holds Strong - Giorgos Kentas.- Czechia: Who is the Most Eurosceptic of Them All? The Eurosceptic Race to the Bottom - Zdenk Sychra and Petr Kratochvíl.- Denmark: Ambivalence Towards the EU - From Foot-Dragging to Pacesetters? - Maja Kluger Dionigi and Marlene Wind.- Estonia: Challenges with the Popularity of Right Wing Radicalism - Viljar Veebel.-Finland: A Meaningful EU debate is needed to Regain Ground from Populist Framing - Juha Jokela.- France: When Euroscepticism Becomes the Main Credo of the Opposition - Nonna Mayer and Olivier Rozenberg.- Germany: Eurosceptics and the illusion of an Alternative - Katrin Böttger and Funda Tekin.- Greece: The Remarkable Defeat of Euroscepticism - George Pagoulatos.- Hungary: Euroscepticism and Nationalism - Andras Inotai.- Iceland: Hard-Line Eurosceptics Clash with Eurosceptics - Baldur Thorhallsson.- Ireland: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats a Unique Situation on Countering Euroscepticism - Róisín Smith.- Italy: Has Salvini Saved the Country from Himself? Not Yet - Eleonora Poli.- Kosovo: Moonwalking Towards the European Union - Venera Hajrullahu.- Latvia: Euroscepticism Between Reason and Treason - Karlis Bukovskis and Andris Spruds.- Liechtenstein: Euroscepticism Yes and No! - Christian Frommelt.- Lithuania: Euroscepticism - Present on the Margins - Ramnas Vilpi¨auskas.- Luxembourg: Make Europe Work Better in the Greater Regions - Guido Lessing.- Malta: Bucking the Trend - How Malta Turned its Back on Euroscepticism - Mark Harwood.- Montenegro: A Great Bargain Between the European Union Optimism and Real Euroscepticism - Danijela Jaimovi and Sunica Rogic.- North Macedonia: The Name in Exchange for European Union Membership? - Irena Rajchinovska Pandeva.- Norway: Outside, but - John Erik Fossum.- Poland: Economic Enthusiasts, Value Adversaries - Zdzisaw Mach and Natasza Styczyska.- Portugal: Euroscepticism - Something Old, Something New and Everything Blue - Alice Cunha.- Romania: Euroscepticism - Contamination of the Mainstream Parties, Limited Support Among the Citizens - Bianca Toma and Alexandru Damian.- Serbia: Our Greatest Fear - An Empty Country, Pawn in the Hands of Great Powers on the Periphery of the Periphery - Marko Savkovi.- Slovakia: Euroscepticism as a Changing Notion in Electoral Campaigns - Oga Gyárfá¨ová and Lucia Mokrá.- Slovenia: Extremes are Attractive Only to the Media - Maja Buar and Bo¨tjan Udovi.- Spain: The Risk of too High Expectations on the EU's Role as a Problem Solver - Ignacio Molina.- Sweden: Battling for Values - Gunilla Herolf.- Switzerland: A Vital Relationship in the Stranglehold of Euroscepticism - Frank Schimmelfennig.- The Netherlands: Playing with Fire? Dutch Political Parties Between Reluctant and Pragmatic Pro-Europeanism - Maurits J. Meijers, Lars Stevenson and Adriaan Schout.- Turkey: A Vicious Cycle of Euroscepticism? - Senem Aydn-Düzgit and Özgehan enyuva.- UK: Brexit - The Car That Keeps on Crashing - Brendan Donnelly.- Ukraine: The Progress of (Euro) Populism in Postmodern Age - Yuriy Yakymenko and Viktor Zamiatin.