Political Communication and the Case of Electoral Reform in the European Union

Abstract

This paper addresses an under-analyzed issue in the field of contemporary study of electoral management in the EU. Electoral governance in the EU is faced with specific problems that are not at the level of member states. In the author's opinion, one of the reasons for the failure of electoral reform in the EU at this stage is the condition of political communication. The system of supranational governance in Europe creates the specific conditions for political communication. The experience of electoral reform in the EU in 2011-2015 confirms that the current system of political communication insufficient to build commitment to reform. The case study findings reveal that the main actors (actors) political communication during the discussion of the draft electoral reforms on supranational level are EU member states, their representatives and governmental bodies. The existing system of political communication provides insufficient opportunities for non-governmental organizations and individuals. The deficiencies in the system of political communications has become one of the reasons for the failure of electoral reform in the EU.