Parties, Voters, and Issue Ownership

Abstract

This panel examines the evolving relationship between parties, voters, and issue ownership in European politics. It asks: How do political actors shape and respond to the salience of European integration and EU issues, and what does this mean for electoral competition and representation? The papers consider how parties communicate EU-related positions, the impact of intra-party and inter-party dynamics on voter behaviour, and the role of institutional configurations in shaping political opportunities. It also explores the significance of actors outside mainstream party structures and the European Parliament’s normative role in global affairs. By integrating perspectives on Euroscepticism, politicization, party competition, and parliamentary diplomacy, the panel offers a comprehensive view of how issue ownership and strategic positioning influence democratic legitimacy in a multilevel system.

Title	Details
Politicising Europe on Social Media: Political Opportunity Structures and EU Issue Salience in Central and Eastern Europe	View Paper Details
A coherent “international moral tribune” in action: assessing the European Parliament ́s reactions to the conflicts between Israel-Palestine and between Russia-Ukraine	View Paper Details
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Does conflict over European integration among pro-European parties reduce public support for Eurosceptic parties?	View Paper Details
Beyond Polity: EU Policy Preferences and Voting Behavior in Western and Central Europe	View Paper Details