The European Union: A Joker or Just an Ordinary Playing Card for Slovenian Political Parties?

Abstract

Since independence in 1991 and until full membership in 2004, the EU played only a side role in party politics in Slovenia. However, the situation has remained very similar in the first four years of full EU membership as EU issues do not directly influence inter-party competition. Such issues have in fact held particular salience for national politics, but little salience for party politics. In addition, the EU arena has not exerted a significant impact on parties' internal organizational changes. The influence of the EU on a party and politics relates mainly to two factors: the governmental position of a party and its representation in the European parliament.