Running In Spite of Themselves: Assessing the Impact of Fringe MEP Careers on National Political Party Successes in Europe

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have the curious opportunity to build political careers that work either outside of or in parallel with their respective national party systems. In addition, the institutional framework of EP electoral institutions and voter behavior provides politicians from smaller and ideologically fringe parties with easier access to elected office than in domestic competitions. Indeed, nearly a third of current MEPs come from anti-EU and/or anti-globalist parties that are situated on the fringe of traditional political fault lines. As political competition in Europe continues to pivot from its traditional left-right economic basis to an increasingly pro-/anti-globalist debate, it is worth considering how the EP offers a stronghold to voices that are ideologically hostile to it, but who may also use their European mandate to improve upon national electoral fortunes. Using original biographical data on all MEPs serving since the 2009 EP elections and building upon previous work on the candidates selection strategies of fringe parties at the EP level, I assess the likelihood of a sitting MEP to stand for local or national office, as well as examine which of the legislative behaviors demonstrated while serving as an MEP may make them more likely to win such elections. My analysis contributes to a growing literature on the shifting political cleavages in Europe and questions its impact on the career behavior of its politicians. It also works to empirically unpack the diversity of fringe MEPs and their ability to affect national political party competition.