The Europeanisation of left political parties: Limits to adaptation and consensus

Abstract

The process of European integration impacts upon all parties of the left. This article focuses on how social-democratic, communist and green parties have responded to the challenge of Europeanisation. It shows that all parties engage extensively with the EU at a practical level, via elections, European parliamentary groups and European parties. There is also evidence of increasing policy adaptation and the adoption of more pro-European programmes, though this is not quite as extensive. However, ideological disputes over the nature of the EU as it is currently constructed and party competition have hindered the development of a broad left vision for the EU's future.