ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses three main contradictions at the heart. First, there is the discrepancy between the considerable attention paid by the media to Europe in general, and the very limited coverage dedicated to European Parliament (EP) election campaigns. Second, in Italy, the definition of EP elections as second order national elections is at least partly challenged by the importance that these elections assume within the framework of the permanent campaign. Third, little was said about the 2009 EP election campaigns at the national level; this was not the case at the local level. Not only was Europe placed at the forefront of local campaigns as incumbent candidates stressed their achievements to date and promised to continue in similar fashion thanks to their roles as the representatives of Italian interests within the EU. In addition and beyond the strictly political environment, Europe has continued to receive significant levels of attention as main frameworks within national issues are confronted, debated, and understood.
