The Rise of (Faulty) Euroscepticism? The Impact of a Decade of Crises in Spain

Abstract

ABSTRACT Euroscepticism in Spain has so far constituted a marginal phenomenon. A decade of political and economic crises could, however, be setting the stage for rising Spanish opposition to the European Union (EU). By analysing recent survey data and party manifestos, we verify to what extent this might be the case. We find that both public and party-based euroscepticism has gained ground in the traditionally euro-optimist Spanish context over the period under study. We argue, however, that such critical stances towards the EU do not constitute a fundamental turn against the process of integration in Spain. Rather, the country has witnessed the rise of ‘faulty’ euroscepticism rooted in the domestic political crisis.