Contenu du sommaire : Les élections Européennes : enjeux, campagnes, résultats

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN FRANCE, GREAT BRITA1N, ITALY AND WEST GERMANY, par GENEVIÈVE BIBES, FRANÇOISE DE LA SERRE, HENRI MENUDIER, MARIE-CLAUDE SMOUTS Has the election of the European Assembly by universal suffrage brought to light transnational forces thereby accentuating the supranational character of the Community or has it rather confirmed the predictions of those who felt that it would reinforce the idea of the Nation-State making the Community much like a traditional international organization ? A study of the methods used in organizing the elections in the four major countries of the E.E.C., the elaboration of platforms, the content of electoral campaigns and the results of the elections all confirm the second hypothesis. In each of the four countries the electoral campaign emerged as an extension of domestic issues ; and in Italy it was even seen as an opportunity to modify the domestic balance of power. However, it would be unjust to say that the only lesson to be learned from the European elections is one concerning domestic political stakes. At the national level, the campaign has revealed questions and preoccupations about the evolution of the Common Market common to all countries. It has tried and strained the transnational ties created by most European parties. It has given rise to inter-party affinities which challenge the existence of established political " couples " and " families ". Last but not least, one might say that the balloting methods, the predominance of the " big " parties and the traditional aspect of the elections discouraged those who would prefer a Europe of citizens to a Europe of Nation-States and political parties. [Revue française de science politique XXIX (6), décembre 1979. pp. 981-1063.]