Europeanisation of political parties : a case study of the Malta Labour Party

Abstract

Analysing EU-related changes in the political party which strongly opposed EU membership is quite a challenging task. The MLP in the last five years began a process of changing itself to a pro-EU party from an EU-septic political party. Accession in the EU meant that the party needed also to update its structures and organisation due to the immediate MEPs elections. But how has the party reacted to accession in the EU? What triggered the MLP to shift its policy, when it could have continued with its anti-EU campaign? Theoretical interpretation of Europeanisation in political parties will give a good starting point in order to assess the party's changes as a result of accession in the EU. Undoubtedly, one also needs to understand the various definitions of Europeanisation which are proposed by academics. Furthermore, the study of Europeanisation effects in political parties has developed, starting from focusing on European Parliament's political groups, moving to government offices and transnational political parties, and recently focusing on national parties. In fact, this study will focus on a national political party. However, relations with transnational political parties and the political groups in the European Parliament are of extreme importance in this context. Did this relationship develop in the last five years? How has the MLP integrated in the pro-EU Socialist group and PES? Last but not least, does the election of an MEP as a new leader will trigger more change in the MLP?