European integration through sceptical prism in the European Parliament

Irina Kruhmalova

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The current rise of Euroscepticism has been observed in all EU Members States and has become the central concern in the European Union for governing bodies to deal with. Therefore, continued French dissatisfaction with the European Union, the British exit from the European Union and a rise of both left and right radical wings throughout the Union have appeared at the center of European debate. Regarding the fact that the only directed body at the supranational level is the European Parliament, it is necessary to understand how national demands for sovereignty can be projected on supranational level. With the ratification of Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament was established as a significant co-decision body. As an additional outcome, political groups inside the EP got an opportunity to introduce their nominees to the Commission presidency through the lead candidate (Spitzenkandidaten) system, where appointed politicians were expected to present their programmes in all EU countries and become familiar to European citizens. The conducted study pays attention to the phenomenon of Euroscepticism and its place in the European Parliament.

Abstract:

The current rise of Euroscepticism has been observed in all EU Members States and has become the central concern in the European Union for governing bodies to deal with. Therefore, continued French dissatisfaction with the European Union, the British exit from the European Union and a rise of both left and right radical wings throughout the Union have appeared at the center of European debate. Regarding the fact that the only directed body at the supranational level is the European Parliament, it is necessary to understand how national demands for sovereignty can be projected on supranational level. With the ratification of Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament was established as a significant co-decision body. As an additional outcome, political groups inside the EP got an opportunity to introduce their nominees to the Commission presidency through the lead candidate (Spitzenkandidaten) system, where appointed politicians were expected to present their programmes in all EU countries and become familiar to European citizens. The conducted study pays attention to the phenomenon of Euroscepticism and its place in the European Parliament.

Keywords

UKIP, EFN, EFDD, GUE/NGL, European Parliament, ECR, National Front, European integration, Populism, European Elections, Euroscepticism, 2014 EP elections

Keywords

UKIP, National Front, ENF, GUE/NGL, ECR, Euroscepticism, European integration, 2014 EP elections, Populism, European elections, European Parliament, EFDD

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 8. 6. 2016

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 30. 5. 2017
• Supervisor: Jan Němec
• Reader: Karel Müller

Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze

Master programme / field:
Mezinárodní ekonomické vztahy / International and Diplomatic Studies