The European Studies program at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its annual Master Meeting and Conference where students from the Master of European Studies program showcase their research, insights, and innovative ideas. This year, the presentations will cover a diverse range of topics, reflecting the rich tapestry of European politics and history.

The event is free and open to the public. We encourage all attendees to participate in the discussions and bring their unique perspectives to the table. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the European Studies department at european-studies(at)uni-duesseldorf.de

Secondary analysis of Eurobarometer data: Does the EU’s legitimacy suffer from the ‘management of the COVID-19 pandemic? An analysis of opinion surveys in selected member states?

This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the legitimacy of the European Union (EU) through a secondary analysis of Eurobarometer data. The research will explore the importance of EU legitimacy and the critical factors required to maintain it across member states. The analysis focuses on two main variables: public trust in EU institutions and the level of satisfaction with the EU’s crisis management. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of input, throughput, and output legitimacy in understanding how public trust is formed and maintained. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative analysis, the study conducts a comparative analysis of these variables across selected member states. Eurobarometer survey data serves as the primary source for this analysis, providing valuable insights into public opinion during the pandemic. The findings underscore the importance of timely responses, transparent communication, and equitable resource distribution in preserving the EU’s legitimacy during crises. This research contributes to the broader discourse on crisis management and the role of legitimacy in international governance frameworks. 

Comparative case studies: What explains variation in democratic backsliding in the member states of the EU?

Democratic backsliding has emerged as a critical challenge within the European Union (EU), with significant variation among member states in the pace and extent of this phenomenon. This project seeks to explore the factors that explain these differences by analyzing political, historical, institutional, and socio-economic variables. Focusing on case studies like Hungary, which has witnessed significant democratic erosion, and contrasting it with resilient democracy such as Spain, the research examines the interplay between historical legacies of authoritarianism, institutional design, EU integration, and the role of populist leadership. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates a comparative analysis of governance practices, secondary data from democratic indices, and qualitative document analysis to uncover patterns. The findings aim to contribute to scholarly debates on EU governance and democratization, offering insights into how supranational mechanisms can address democratic decline while respecting member states' sovereignty.

Secondary analysis of surveys: Political group formation in the European Parliament after the 2024 elections

This study examines the mechanisms driving political group formation within the European Parliament (EP) following the 2024 elections, focusing on ideological, strategic, and institutional factors influencing national parties’ alignment choices. Through a secondary analysis of survey data, primarily the Chapel Hill 2019 Expert Survey, the research compiles a dataset detailing national parties’ ideological orientations and their EP affiliations. Grounded in Party System Theory, Cleavage Theory, and Rational Choice Theory. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative pattern analysis with qualitative case studies to explore contextual factors shaping party decisions. By identifying key drivers such as ideological congruence, strategic interests, and systemic constraints, this research provides critical insights into the dynamics of political group formation within the European Parliament, contributing to broader discussions on the evolution of transnational party alignments in the EU.

Process tracing: The Making of the Multiannual Financial Framework MFF 2021- 27 and the EU Recovery Plan

This paper investigates the negotiation and finalization of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021–2027 and the EU Recovery Plan (NextGenerationEU) in the context of unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. Utilizing a process-tracing methodology, it examines the roles of key stakeholders, including EU institutions and member states, and explores how divergent priorities were reconciled to achieve agreement. The analysis highlights how the crisis accelerated decision-making, leading to innovative measures such as joint debt issuance and new own-resource mechanisms. Preliminary findings reveal the pivotal influence of institutional leadership, the impact of pandemic-driven economic imperatives, and the tension between solidarity and fiscal conservatism, as embodied by debates between the Frugal Four and southern member states. This study contributes to the scholarly discourse on EU fiscal policy, adaptive governance, and the interplay of multi-level governance under crisis conditions.

Discourse analysis (framing): Same but different – Issue agendas of right-wing populist parties in the EP 2024 election campaigns

This research investigates how right-wing populist parties (RWPPs) framed and communicated their issue agendas during the 2024 European Parliament (EP) elections. The research hypothesis is that they focused on themes related to national sovereignty, Euroscepticism, and cultural identity. Based on the post-functionalism framework, debates on Euroscepticism, and constructivism theory, the study examines how RWPPs leveraged identity conflicts, anti-elite and anti-immigration rhetorics, and critiques of EU governance to connect with the voters. RWPPs saw an increase in seats from 118 in 2019 elections to 187 in 2024. We focus on four parties: Alternative for Germany (AfD), National Rally (RN), Brothers of Italy (FdI), and Law and Justice (PiS). They were selected for their geographic diversity, influence on EU politics, and the many seats they received in the EP, 15, 30, 24 and 20 respectively. To analyze the last 20 political campaigns of each party at the period before the elections, we applied social network analysis (SNA) and discourse analysis to map relationships between themes, actors, and narratives, identifying key framing strategies. This research contributes to understanding the role of Euroscepticism and identity politics in shaping RWPPs' communication strategies during the EP elections. In addition, it offers insights into how these parties influence public opinion and electoral dynamics, while tailoring their messages to national and transnational contexts.

Discourse analysis: Who defends democratic backsliding in European Parliament debates

This research examines democratic backsliding in the European Parliament based on ten major debates. Using Framing Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this article seeks to find out what persuasive strategies these distinct groups use in either supporting or contesting this decline in democratic rules and practices of the European Union. The chosen debates, on the rise of neo-fascism to the safety of journalists and human rights defenders, paint a very clear picture of the complicated connections between political language, power dynamics, and the resulting social consequences. This research demonstrates how language and framing are used in these debates. It highlights how supporters of democratic backsliding create stories that justify what they do and push aside opposing views. The results show that ideas around sovereignty and being against elites are common themes. These echo broader social and political trends, as well as growing doubt over EU institutions. This study helps us understand how discussions affect political realities in the EU. It provides insights into how democratic decline happens and ways to resist it. It concludes by highlighting the important role of language in defending and challenging democratic values within one of the main decision-making groups of the EU.

Institutional analysis: Is the European Commission becoming more party political over time?

This research explores whether the European Commission, traditionally regarded as a technocratic and neutral body, has become increasingly party-political over time. It analyzes the evolving political affiliations of commissioners across four terms: the Barroso II Commission (2010–2014), the Juncker Commission (2014–2019), the von der Leyen Commission (2019–2024), and the upcoming 2024–2029 Commission. The study examines patterns in party dominance, representation of smaller parties, and changes in portfolio allocations by analyzing detailed data on commissioners' political affiliations, portfolios, and role adjustments over time. A mixed-methods approach combines quantitative trend analysis of party representation and portfolio distribution with qualitative insights into structural changes. The research concludes with implications for the European Commission and the European Union's governance structure, focusing on how increasing party-political alignment impacts the Commission's neutrality, the balance of power among member states and political parties, and its role in fostering inclusivity and democratic engagement.