POLSCE 9: Politics and governance in European States

GROUP 4

Topics:
 Political parties and elections
 Overview of major political parties across Europe
 Electoral system and their impacts
 Case studies of recent elections and political shifts

Political Parties
political party, a group of persons organized to acquire and exercise political power.
Political parties originated in their modern form in Europe and the United States in the
19th century, along with the electoral and parliamentary systems, whose development
reflects the evolution of parties. The term party has since come to be applied to all
organized groups seeking political power, whether by democratic elections or by
revolution.

Elections
Election, the formal process of selecting a person for public office or of accepting or
rejecting a political proposition by voting. It is important to distinguish between the
form and the substance of elections. In some cases, electoral forms are present but the
substance of an election is missing, as when voters do not have a free and genuine
choice between at least two alternatives. Most countries hold elections in at least the
formal sense, but in many of them the elections are not competitive (e.g., all but one
party may be forbidden to contest) or the electoral situation is in other respects highly
compromised.

Overview of Political parties across Europe

Political parties across Europe exhibit a diverse landscape shaped by historical, social,
and institutional factors. In post-communist Eastern Europe, the development of
independent parties has been crucial for democratic consolidation, with varying
ideologies and electoral volatility influencing party systems (Lewis, 2002). The
European Parliament (EP) features seven major party groups that represent distinct
policy positions, highlighting a left-right dimension alongside issues related to EU
institutional powers (McElroy & Benoit, 2007). The relationship between European
integration and party systems has prompted research into transnational party
federations, revealing the complexities of party dynamics within the EP (Mair, 2008).
Additionally, parties face challenges in maintaining strong societal links and adapting
to modern campaign strategies, which affects their organizational stability and public
engagement (Luther & Müller-Rommel, 2005). Despite their role in legislative
decision-making, parties often struggle to act as effective intermediaries between
citizens and legislators in the EU context (Lindberg et al., 2008). This multifaceted
nature of political parties underscores their significance in shaping European
governance.

1. Western Europe
 Multi-Party Systems: Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands
feature multi-party systems where several parties compete for power, often
leading to coalition governments.
 Ideological Diversity: Parties range from conservative (e.g., Christian Democratic
Union in Germany) to socialist (e.g., Socialist Party in France) and green parties
(e.g., GreenLinks in the Netherlands).
 Populism: A rise in populist parties has been noted, particularly on the right,
responding to issues like immigration and economic discontent (e.g., National
Rally in France and the Alternative for Germany).

2. Northern Europe
 Strong Social Democratic Traditions: Countries like Sweden and Denmark have
robust social democratic parties that emphasize welfare and social equity.
 Emergence of New Parties: Recent years have seen the rise of green parties and
populist movements, reflecting shifts in voter priorities, particularly regarding
climate and immigration.

3. Southern Europe
 Fragmented Systems: Countries like Italy and Greece have historically seen
fragmented party systems, with many parties representing regional interests and
ideologies.
 Economic Challenges: Economic crises have led to the rise of anti-establishment
parties, such as the Five Star Movement in Italy and SYRIZA in Greece,
challenging traditional parties.

4. Eastern Europe
 Post-Communist Transition: Many Eastern European countries are still
navigating the transition from one-party systems to multi-party democracies.
Parties often reflect nationalistic and historical narratives (e.g., Law and Justice in
Poland).
 Influence of Euroscepticism: Some parties are characterized by strong
Eurosceptic sentiments, reflecting concerns over national sovereignty and EU
influence.

5. Regional and Ethnic Parties

 Many European countries feature parties that represent specific regional or ethnic
interests, such as the Scottish National Party in the UK and the Catalan parties in
Spain, highlighting the significance of regional identities in national politics.

Overview of major political parties across European States

1. Western Europe
 Germany: A multi-party system with major players like the Christian Democratic
Union (CDU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the Green Party, often
leading to coalition governments.
 France: Features a semi-presidential system with significant parties including La
République En Marche, The Republicans, and the Socialist Party, alongside a
growing presence of populist and far-right parties like the National Rally.
 United Kingdom: Dominated by the Conservative Party and the Labour Party,
with regional parties like the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru
gaining prominence.

2. Northern Europe
 Sweden: Strong social democratic tradition represented by the Social Democrats,
alongside Green and right-wing parties like the Sweden Democrats.
 Denmark: Similar to Sweden, with a mix of traditional parties and newer ones
like the Danish People's Party, emphasizing issues such as immigration.

3. Southern Europe
 Italy: A fragmented system with numerous parties, including the Democratic
Party, League, and the Five Star Movement, often resulting in coalition
governments.
 Greece: Characterized by significant parties like New Democracy and SYRIZA,
reflecting economic challenges and anti-austerity sentiments.

4. Eastern Europe
 Poland: Dominated by the Law and Justice Party (PiS), with a rising trend of
nationalistic and conservative politics, alongside more liberal parties like Civic
Coalition.
 Hungary: The Fidesz party has maintained a strong grip on power, emphasizing
nationalist and populist policies, while opposition parties face challenges.

5. Central Europe
 Czech Republic: Features a multi-party system with significant parties like ANO
2011 and the Civic Democratic Party, reflecting a mix of centrist and right-
leaning politics.
 Slovakia: A diverse party landscape with parties like Direction – Social
Democracy (Smer) and progressive parties emerging in recent elections.

6. Regional and Ethnic Parties

 Across many states, regional and ethnic parties play crucial roles, such as the
Basque Nationalist Party in Spain and the Flemish Interest in Belgium, reflecting
local identities and autonomy movements.
Electoral system and their impacts

1. United Kingdom
System: First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)
Impact:
Majoritarian Dominance: The system favors the Conservative and Labour parties,
often resulting in single-party majority governments. This limits the influence of
smaller parties, such as the Liberal Democrats and regional parties like the SNP.
Regional Disparities: It exacerbates regional divides, as parties with concentrated
support can gain significant power (e.g., the SNP in Scotland), while others remain
underrepresented.

2. Germany
System: Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP)
Impact:
Coalition Governance: Leads to coalition governments that require negotiation
among multiple parties, promoting consensus politics.
Stability and Diversity: Provides a platform for smaller parties, such as the Greens
and the Free Democrats, ensuring diverse representation while maintaining political
stability.

3. France
System: Two-Round System for presidential elections; FPTP for legislative elections
Impact:
Broad Support for Candidates: The two-round system ensures that elected officials
have significant voter backing, impacting candidate strategies and leading to a more
polarized political environment.
Fragmentation in Legislative Elections: The FPTP system can lead to major parties
dominating the National Assembly, often sidelining smaller parties despite their
presence in the first round.

4. Spain
System: Proportional Representation (D'Hondt method)

Impact:
Multi-Party System: Encourages a variety of parties, including regional ones, which
complicates governance and coalition-building.
Rise of New Political Movements: The emergence of parties like Podemos and Vox
reflects changing voter preferences and the fragmentation of traditional party lines.

5. Italy
System: Mixed electoral system
Impact:
Political Instability: Frequent changes in government and coalition configurations
highlight the challenges of a fragmented party system.
Populist Surge: The rise of populist parties like the League and Five Star Movement
has reshaped the political discourse, emphasizing anti-establishment sentiments and
regionalism.

6. Netherlands
System: Proportional Representation (List PR)
Impact:
Fragmented Political Landscape: Leads to a wide array of parties in the Tweede
Kamer (House of Representatives), complicating coalition-building and governance.
Inclusive Representation: Smaller parties, including those representing minority
interests, gain seats, fostering a more pluralistic democracy.

7. Sweden
System: Proportional Representation (Modified Sainte-Laguë method)
Impact:
Emergence of New Parties: The rise of the Sweden Democrats reflects shifting
public sentiments on immigration and identity, impacting traditional party dynamics.
Coalition Necessity: Multi-party representation leads to coalition governments,
requiring negotiation and compromise on policies.
8. Finland
System: Proportional Representation (Sainte-Laguë method)
Impact:
Stable Coalition Governments: Promotes collaboration among parties, resulting in
stable governance despite ideological differences.
Voter Engagement: High levels of party diversity encourage voter participation and
representation of various interests.

9. Ireland
System: Single Transferable Vote (STV)
Impact:
Enhanced Voter Choice: Voters can express preferences beyond their first choice,
promoting diverse representation in the Dáil Éireann.
Complex Coalition Dynamics: The need for coalitions often leads to negotiation and
compromise among parties, shaping policy outcomes.

10. Poland
System: Proportional Representation (D'Hondt method)
Impact:
Polarization: The dominance of the Law and Justice party (PiS) has intensified
political polarization and debates around democracy and rule of law.
Regional Representation: Regional parties have a platform to voice local concerns,
impacting national discourse on issues like identity and governance.

Conclusion
The electoral systems in European states significantly shape their political landscapes.
The choice between proportional representation and majoritarian systems affects party
dynamics, coalition-building, voter engagement, and the representation of diverse
interests. As these systems evolve, they continue to influence the nature of democracy
and governance across Europe.
Case studies of recent elections and political shifts

1. Germany (2021 Federal Election)

Context: Angela Merkel's long tenure as Chancellor came to an end, leading to a
significant shift in German politics.
Outcome: The Social Democratic Party (SPD) won with 25.7% of the vote, closely
followed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 24.1%. The Greens also made
substantial gains.
Implications: The SPD formed a coalition government with the Greens and the Free
Democrats (FDP), marking a shift to the left in German policy, especially on climate
change and social justice. This election demonstrated the rising influence of smaller
parties and the challenges faced by traditional major parties.

2. France (2022 Presidential Election)

Context: The election was marked by rising populism and fragmentation, with
multiple candidates from both left and right.
Outcome: Emmanuel Macron was re-elected with 58.5% of the vote against Marine
Le Pen, who received 41.5%.
Implications: Macron's victory signaled continuity, but the strong showing of Le
Pen’s National Rally highlighted the growing acceptance of far-right ideas in
mainstream politics. This dynamic intensified discussions around immigration and
national identity in France.

3. Italy (2022 General Election)

Context: Italy faced political instability with several governments in quick
succession, compounded by economic challenges and the fallout from COVID-19.
Outcome: Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party emerged as the largest party with
around 26% of the vote, leading to a right-wing coalition government with the League
and Forza Italia.
Implications: Meloni's government marked a significant shift to the right, raising
concerns over issues such as immigration, social policies, and Italy's role in the EU.
This election reflected the growing influence of nationalist parties in European
politics.
4. Sweden (2022 General Election)
Context: Rising crime rates and immigration issues became central themes in the
electoral campaign.
Outcome: The right-wing Sweden Democrats became the second-largest party, while
the center-right bloc won a slight majority.
Implications: The shift toward the right reflects a broader trend of increasing support
for nationalist and anti-immigration parties in Europe. It raised questions about
integration policies and Sweden's traditionally liberal stance on immigration.

5. Hungary (2022 Parliamentary Election)

Context: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party faced a united opposition
for the first time in a decade.
Outcome: Fidesz won a decisive victory, securing 53% of the vote, despite criticism
over democratic backsliding and corruption.
Implications: Orbán’s continued dominance illustrated the challenges faced by
opposition parties in overcoming systemic obstacles, including media control and
electoral laws. It further solidified Hungary’s position as a focal point of
authoritarianism within the EU.

6. Spain (2023 Snap Election)

Context: Called amidst economic challenges and rising inflation, the election was
framed as a referendum on the left-wing coalition government.
Outcome: The People's Party (PP) won the most seats, but not an outright majority,
leading to potential coalition discussions with the far-right Vox party.
Implications: The rise of Vox and the decline of traditional parties reflected
changing voter priorities and regional divisions, particularly in response to economic
and social policies.

Conclusion
These case studies illustrate the dynamic political landscape across Europe,
characterized by shifts toward both right-wing populism and the resilience of
traditional parties. Key issues such as immigration, economic stability, and national
identity continue to shape electoral outcomes and influence the broader political
discourse. The implications of these elections extend beyond national borders,
affecting EU policies and regional dynamics.