Going Hard or Soft?

Abstract

This chapter examines the link between the four types of support and scepticism and the likelihood of casting a ballot for a Eurosceptic party in the 2014 European Parliament elections. Importantly, the chapter demonstrates close ties between being an exit sceptic and supporting hard Eurosceptic parties that reject the EU project and mobilize secession sentiment. Moreover, the chapter demonstrates that issue priorities matter greatly. Sceptics who care mostly about immigration display the highest support for hard Eurosceptic parties, especially on the right of the political spectrum, while those who care mostly about unemployment and the economy are, overall, less likely to vote for a Eurosceptic party. If they do, they support a soft Eurosceptic party, mostly on the left of the political spectrum. Finally, the chapter shows that the choices for Eurosceptic parties are mainly fuelled by concerns over immigration and a desire for more national control.