The CDU/CSU Approach Towards EU Enlargement: Do the CDU/CSU Form One Entity in the European Parliament?
No.1(2011)
Abstract
Keywords:
CDU/CSU; European Parliament; EU enlargement; Turkey
The EU enlargement process is a vital part of European integration. Previous research into EU enlargement aimed especially at the process itself or at the appoaches of member states or EU institutions towards enlargement. We focus on political parties and their positions towards future enlargement of the EU. Comparing the opinions of the CDU and CSU on EU enlargement, we try to find out whether these two parties can be, at a European level, considered as one homogeneous actor and whether the CDU and CSU’s declaratory opinions are consistent with the parties’ MEP voting. Analysis thus deals both with the programme documents and statements of relevant politicians and with roll call votes in the European parliament.
CDU/CSU; European Parliament; EU enlargement; Turkey