Talking Europe, Using Europe: The EU and Parliamentary Competition in Italy and Spain (1986–2006)

Abstract

The analysis of how the European Union (EU) affects domestic political competition and political parties has mainly been centred on elections, whereas studies on parliaments have focused more on institutional adaptation. However, parliaments also provide forums for debating alternative domestic and EU policies. This study examines how Europe is used in parliamentary competition in Italy and Spain by analysing party discourses in investiture and budget debates. Covering two decades (1986–2006), the study investigates whether or not the EU has gained importance over time in the way parties use European policies, the evolution of party positions towards the EU and, more generally, the consequences of integration for party policies and discourse.