Is it always up to the leadership? European policy-making in the Labour Party, Parti Socialiste (PS) and Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Abstract

This article analyzes and compares the politics of European policy-making within the British Labour Party, the Parti Socialiste (PS) and the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD) between 1997 and 2012. We know that party leaders have assumed much autonomy in the making of European policy, but, as with policy-making in any area, their autonomy is constrained and sometimes even questioned by other parts of the party. In order to establish how they are constrained, and what factors increase the level of constraint, this study explores the roles played by four party actors in the making of European policy: conferences, national executive committees, Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament. This article, which is based on over 35 interviews with EU experts from the three parties, confirms that European policy was generally made by the party leadership. Other party actors, however, were able to influence the leadership on a small number of occasions. The extent of their influence depended upon the polity, party, policy and politics.

Political parties and the EU in national election campaigns: who talks about Europe, and how?

“…It may be that government parties are not be able to avoid talking about the EU, as these parties will be called on to react to external EU‐related events and EU policies – i.e. Hertner's () ‘policies through the EU’. If, for example, an EU summit or the European Parliament takes an important decision, government parties may be called on to explain or react to this.…”

“…In contrast, governing parties will talk about the EU when pressed to do so by external EU‐related events and EU policies, i.e. Hertner's () ‘policies through the EU’. Opposition parties will be less constrained by EU policies and external events.…”

“…Parties may talk in general terms about European integration, so whether they support or oppose the broad direction of the EU and its institutional arrangements. These are what Hertner () calls policies ‘about the EU’. Parties may also discuss EU policies, so laws and legislative proposals which originate in the EU policy process; these are Hertner's () policies ‘through the EU’.…”

“…These are what Hertner () calls policies ‘about the EU’. Parties may also discuss EU policies, so laws and legislative proposals which originate in the EU policy process; these are Hertner's () policies ‘through the EU’. Finally, the EU can be addressed in the course of EU‐related external events.…”

“…Hence, the quality of contributions from MEPs on EU issues might be higher. National actors may therefore leave technical and less controversial issues to MEPs(Hertner, 2013;Luther, 2008), but may be more prominent when it comes to discussing broader and more ideological aspects of EU integration.…”