ABSTRACT: European Political Parties and The Treaty of Nice 

POLITOLOGISKE STUDIER - ÅRG. 4 NR. 1  - APRÈS NICE -MARTS 2001

Af Julia Speht
The European Union’s persistent democratic deficit continues to threaten political progress.  Criticisms highlight the European Parliament Second Order Elections’ low turnout and parties lacking enough identity to mobilise citizens – who themselves reject Europe through referendums and demonstrations.

Yet, as the polity’s pivotal agents, Europarties would require major developments before they could fulfil any legitimising functions.

The Nice Treaty reforms represent one such crucial development – by providing a legal basis; party Statute; and financing and regulations through the EU.

Adopting the ‘Three Faces’ party model, analysis of these reforms considers their potential impact on progress towards a more Europeanised Party System.