The Europeanisation of national political parties in the EU : the case of the Maltese nationalist party

Abstract

The main objective of this dissertation is to conduct an analysis of the effects of Europeanisation on national political parties, using the case of the Nationalist Party in Malta. The main topics tackled will be Europeanisation, the history of the Nationalist Party, Malta’s accession to the European Union, and the way in which Europeanisation has affected the Nationalist Party. The first research question relates to the approach the Nationalist Party took to the European Union between the years 1990 and 2021, which is covered in the third chapter. This will be covered in the analysis by analysing the history of the Nationalist Party in this time and the ways in which the party described its relationship with the European Union. The second research question relates to the way in which the party framed Malta’s relationship with the European Union and if this shifted with the party leadership. This would be covered in the analysis and in the first chapter, where a comprehensive review of Europeanisation as a concept and the effects it has on political parties is given. The final research question specifically mentions the ways in which the Nationalist Party approached Europe in its manifestos. Ladrech’s framework of analysis (expanded upon in the second chapter) will be utilised to examine this and other factors to discuss the extent of Europeanisation’s effect on the PN’s politicking, so as to reach the main objective of this dissertation.