In May 2014, the citizens of the EU member states elected a new European Parliament in a climate of uncertain economic recovery, persistent decline of popular support for the Union, and unprecedented politicization of European integration in the national political arenas. More than ever big questions about the form and future of the EU are being asked. The debates on the democratic quality of European governance and national and regional politics are more salient than ever before.

From an institutional point of view, the 2014 EP elections are the first since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, which has not only broadened significantly the legislative and budgetary powers of the European Parliament but has also given the EP the responsibility to elect the President of the Commission on the basis of a candidate proposed by the European Council, after taking into account the outcome of the EP elections (Article 17(7) Treaty on European Union (TEU)). On its own, this innovation represents a significant upgrade of the Parliament’s nominating rights compared to the previous Nice Treaty, which entitled the EP to merely approve the designation of the Commission President

On-line Journal Modelling the New Europe invites authors to contribute papers for its next issue dedicated to the European Parliament: Parties, Issues and Policy Positioning in the New Legislative Term.

We welcome new theoretical and empirical research focusing on European elections, on the relation between European and national elections, on the role of Europe in national elections, on the impact of the (euro) crisis and of austerity policies for national and European democracy, on decision-making in the EU, on the role of the European Parliament, on parties, on policies, on trust in national and European institutions or other aspects of EU politics. We especially aim to bring together scholars specializing in the analysis of the European institutions and European policy-making with scholars working on electoral politics.

The issue is double-peer reviewed by independent academics related to the line of study of the articles proposed.

Guest Editors:  

Assoc. prof. dr. Georgiana Ciceo

Lecturer dr. Miruna Balosin

The Editorial Staff is looking forward to receiving your papers until September 15, 2014.

Please send your contributions to:

miruna.balosin@ubbcluj.ro; gciceo@yahoo.com

For information regarding the author guidelines, please access:

http://neweurope.centre.ubbcluj.ro/?page_id=103

Thank you,

Editorial Team