Campaigning in Europe - campaigning for Europe

In June 2004 the sixth direct election of the European Parliament took place. These „founding elections“ were supposed to give a remarkable kick-off for an expanded European Union and to strengthen the still fragile European community. However, an all-time low voter turnout indicated that the elections barely evoked public attention and failed to mobilize voters. In this volume political scientists and communication scholars from almost all EU member states and the USA investigate - in country chapters and comparatively - the political parties' campaigns, mass media's election coverage, citizens' engagement, and the short- and long-term effects of the European integration process.