The divide between Eurosceptic and Europeanist parties in Poland and Denmark

Abstract

Euroscepticism has become the major concern for the European Union and the causes for this phenomenon are vast. On the opposite, Europeanism is becoming ever sparser with some top politicians coming from the highest ranks of the European Union have argued that if this is to change, the EU has to change its traditional rhetoric of Europeanism and shift towards the ever-changing political scenario in Europe.

After studying the definitions of both Europeanism and Euroscepticism, this dissertation continues by delving into the political parties in Poland and Denmark following the 2014 European Parliament elections and the respective 2015 governmental elections in both countries. Comparisons between the various parties show that there is no common denominator that highlights the difference between Eurosceptic and Europeanist parties in Poland and Denmark. Rather, it is a number of factors that are different to each country that make the difference on what stance a party takes with respect to the EU.