June 05, 2019
Why the fragmentation of European politics could bode poorly for democracy
Reaching consensus in the new E.U. Parliament just got harder.
After last week’s elections, the European Parliament is more fragmented than ever — growing discontent with the mainstream meant that centrist and mainstream parties took a beating. For the first time in 40 years, the center-right and the center-left will no longer control a majority of the European Parliament, and power will be spread over eight party groupings rather than seven in the last parliament. Although the far right did well, so too did the liberals and Greens.
This mirrors the fragmentation that has been happening in national European parliaments. Across the continent, political party systems are splintering. Some of this reflects the resurgence of existing parties. Support for the Greens, for example, has risen in recent years. But much of the fragmentation has been the result of the emergence of new political parties. Since 2000, 94 new parties have won seats in national legislatures in Europe.
Read the full article in The Washington Post.
More from CNAS
-
The Future of European Integration Hinges on Poland
Commentary
If Poland left the camp of the EU’s spoilers and renewed its adherence to the bloc’s legal order, it would have knock-on effects far beyond the EU-Poland relationship....
By Nicholas Lokker
-
European Integration’s New Geopolitical Momentum
Commentary
Offering more tangible benefits of accession prior to full membership will both keep candidate countries motivated to continue reforms and allow for a more gradual adjustment ...
By Nicholas Lokker
-
Can Macron Play Nice with Other Europeans?
Commentary
To fully realize his ambitions for the bloc during his second term, macron will need to take greater care to forge consensus across eu member states, rather than repeating his...
By Nicholas Lokker
-
Macron vs. Le Pen Redux, with Célia Belin and Ben Haddad
Podcast
What can we expect from the final round of the French presidential election? The possibility of a Le Pen presidency poses major concerns for the future of the European Union a...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend, Célia Belin & Benjamin Haddad
