How Euroscepticism was marginalised - Malta's post-membership Euro-enthusiasm and the impact of BREXIT

Abstract

Before joining the EU in 2004 Malta registered the starkest level of Euroscepticism amongst applicant states with a major party opposed to EU membership and a marked antipathy amongst half the population. A decade later, party-based Euroscepticism has been replaced by cross-party Euroenthusiasm in this two-party state. However, underlying Euroscepticism remains amongst the population and anti-EU, anti-immigrant parties have emerged since membership. With close political and cultural ties with the UK, this article argues that BREXIT has the potential to undermine that Euroenthusiasm as the two parties compete for those voters dissatisfied with the EU.