Political Actors' Narratives on the Reforms of the European Union

This book provides essential insights into contemporary political actors' narratives of European integration. Focusing on the Future of Europe debate in parliaments, the book reveals how the question of democracy in Europe is addressed. Through the lens of differentiation, it explores the numerous nuances within narratives on the EU. Based on an extensive empirical analysis of debates from 11 national parliaments and the European Parliament over a period of seven years (2015-2021), it provides substantial understanding of the circulation of ideas on Europe within and among member states. Finally, the book offers a reflection on reforming the EU and the different constitutional narratives shaping the future of the EU. This book is of key interest to scholars and students interested in European integration, the European Parliament, democracy and political parties.

Magdalena Góra is Associate Professor of Political Science at the Jagiellonian University, Poland. Elodie Thevenin is Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Jagiellonian University, Poland. Katarzyna Zielinska is Associate Professor of Sociology at the Jagiellonian University, Poland.

1. National and European debates on the Future of European Democracy: An Introduction 2. A Comparative Perspective on the Future of Europe Debate in National Parliaments: Mapping Democracy, Differentiation and Dominance 3. French Perspectives on the Future of Europe: Debating European Sovereignty 4. The German Debate on the Future of Europe at the End of the Merkel Era: Governmental Pragmatism and Visions from the Opposition? 5. The Greek Parliament and the Future of Europe: Between Nebulous Ideological Narratives and Conflicting Partisan Strategies on European Integration 6. Debates on the Future of Europe in the Danish Folketing: Between Economic Membership Benefits and Political Autonomy 7. Sweden and the Limits of Euro-Optimism: Pragmatic Integration or Political Reluctance? 8. The Future of Europe Debate in Poland: Old Dilemmas in the Politicised Context 9. The Hungarian Munchausen Parliament and the Future of the European Union: Debating the Contours of an Anti-Constitutional Project 10. The Czech Republic's Efforts to Find its Place amid the European Crises of 2015-2021: No More Integration? 11. Norway as Europe's Closest Outsider: Views of European Integration from a Non-Member 12. European Parliament Groups' Perspectives on the Future of Europe: In the European House of Conflicting Ideas 13. Right-Wing Eurosceptic Members of the European Parliament: A Challenge to the European Future? 14. Concluding Reflections