Conclusions: The Fragmentation of Nationalist Party Families in the European Arena

Abstract

Despite the scholarly emphasis on the relevance of identity politics in Europe, the political and electoral strength of minority and populist nationalist party families in the European Union remains limited to a minor space on the sides of the European party system. This chapter summarizes the main findings of the book and compares the Europeanization of these opposing nationalist party families both in their perspectives on European Integration and in their transnational inroads in the European arena. The image of minority and populist nationalist parties as polar opposites on European integration is more blurred than expected; yet perspectives on European integration add to the ideological differentiation of both nationalist party families. The weight of minority and populist nationalist party families in the European party system has improved in European elections and so is the number of MEPs elected in the European parliament. Populist nationalist parties have doubled the size of the minority nationalist party family during the 2009–2014 European elections. However, the historical trajectories of Europeanization of minority and populist nationalist party families share a structural fragmentation since translation mechanisms impinge on transnational party coordination. The choice between going on their own in political groups and integrating in other political groups and Europarties marks the fragmented evolution of Europeanized nationalisms.