Book launch : the Europeanisation of party politics in Malta

Abstract

On the 8th May 2023 the Institute organised a book launch to mark the publication of Dr Jean Claude Cachia new book on ‘The Europeanisation of Party Politics in Malta’. This book examines the influence of Europeanisation on the Maltese political system, the politicisation and framing of the European Union by political parties, and the impact of the European Union on Malta’s political system. Held at the Aula Prima of the Valletta campus, the event included an overview of the book’s contents, delivered by Dr Cachia followed by a panel discussion that provided a reflection on Malta's membership of the EU. The panel was formed of Professor Mark Harwood, Professor Roderick Pace and Professor Carmen Sammut (Pro Rector) and was moderated by Dr Valentina Cassar of the Department of International Relations.

This book examines the Europeanisation of party politics in Malta. It evaluates the influence of Europeanisation on the political system, which is based on two party-system, polarisation, and clientelism. Malta is the smallest European Union (EU) member state, which joined the EU in 2004. The road toward membership was fraught with contentious and emotionally charged debates. This book explores the relationship between Maltese political parties and the EU, the politicisation and framing of the European Union by political parties, and the impact of the European Union on Malta's political system. The book further discusses more contentious recent events which made headlines at the EU level, including the Panama Papers scandals, the Individual Investment Programme, and the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The book will appeal to students, scholars, and researchers of political science and international relations interested in a better understanding of electoral studies, Europeanisation, European integration, as well as the Maltese political system, and party politics.