"EU Influence on Party Politics in Slovakia"

Henderson, Karen. (2005) "EU Influence on Party Politics in Slovakia". In European Union Studies Association (EUSA) > Biennial Conference > 2005 (9th), March 31-April 2, 2005, pages 24, Austin, Texas.

Abstract

Slovakia’s uneasy relationship with the EU in the 1990s presents new insights into Europeanization and political parties as it appears to be a rare case where the EU has led to party system change at national level. This was accompanied by delayed Europeanization of political debate at both public and party level. Initially, views on the EU corresponded to levels of support for the post-communist reform project. However, as acceptability to the EU and the international community became identified with governmental competence, anti-reform parties were either politically marginalized or changed their political outlook and hence also their coalition potential. This is significant as it is likely also to occur in countries involved in future enlargement waves.