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Women Leading the Opposition: Gender and Rhetoric in the European Parliament

Author

Listed:
  • Henriette Müller

    (Division of Arts & Humanities, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

  • Pamela Pansardi

    (Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy)

Abstract

The European Parliament (EP) is an intriguing arena to study the nexus between gender, speech-making, and leadership performance, as it simultaneously challenges and confirms gender-based hierarchies in legislative contexts. While the EP has a higher level of women’s representation than national parliaments, women’s access to top-level positions nonetheless remains limited. Yet the EP is a special case of a legislature. Lacking a right of initiative, it often acts collectively as an inter-institutional opposition to the EU core institutions. In this article, through a software-assisted analysis of EP debates following the president’s State of the Union Address, we investigate party group leaders’ evaluations of the Commission’s proposals and their charismatic rhetoric from a gender angle. Focusing on the three most recent legislatures (2009–2021), our analysis shows that while collective inter-institutional opposition is present in the EP, women leaders generally show higher levels of rhetorical skillfulness and voice either approval or opposition toward the Commission more emphatically than their male counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Henriette Müller & Pamela Pansardi, 2023. "Women Leading the Opposition: Gender and Rhetoric in the European Parliament," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 164-176.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v11:y:2023:i:1:p:164-176
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v11i1.6172
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Judith Baxter, 2010. "The Language of Female Leadership," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-27791-5, June.
    2. Sarah F. Anzia & Christopher R. Berry, 2011. "The Jackie (and Jill) Robinson Effect: Why Do Congresswomen Outperform Congressmen?," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(3), pages 478-493, July.
    3. Sarah C. Dingler & Ludger Helms & Henriette Müller, 2023. "Women Opposition Leaders: Conceptual Issues and Empirical Agendas," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 080-84.
    4. Sarah C. Dingler & Ludger Helms & Henriette Müller, 2023. "Women Opposition Leaders: Conceptual Issues and Empirical Agendas," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 080-84.
    5. Judith Baxter, 2010. "Case Study 2: Language of Female Leadership in Action," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: The Language of Female Leadership, chapter 6, pages 116-146, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jessica Fortin-Rittberger, 2025. "What is special about women in EU institutions?," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 185-202, March.

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