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Party contestation and news visibility abroad: The 2019 European Parliament election from a pan-European perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas M. Meyer

    (Department of Government, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria)

  • Katjana Gattermann

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, Department of Communication Science, 1234University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

We ask whether and why European political parties receive election news coverage abroad and investigate this phenomenon by combining theoretical stipulations regarding the politicisation of European integration and the horizontal Europeanisation of national public spheres. Based on a content analysis of 64 newspapers in 16 European Union countries following the 2019 European Parliament election, we argue that contestation over European integration increases the likelihood that foreign journalists report election results from a particular member state. Eurosceptic parties are more often visible abroad than Europhile parties, unless they stood for election in a highly polarised party system. Our results have important implications for the European Union's legitimacy as contestation over European integration increases the chances for citizens to learn about election results in other European countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas M. Meyer & Katjana Gattermann, 2022. "Party contestation and news visibility abroad: The 2019 European Parliament election from a pan-European perspective," European Union Politics, , vol. 23(3), pages 398-416, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:23:y:2022:i:3:p:398-416
    DOI: 10.1177/14651165221082523
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    References listed on IDEAS

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