Attitudes of Greek Parliamentarians Towards European and National Identity, Representation, and Scope of Governance

doi:10.4324/9781315878126-5

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Attitudes of Greek Parliamentarians Towards European and National Identity, Representation, and Scope of Governance

ABSTRACT

This article analyses the attitudes of Greek political elites towards the European Union (EU) and compares them with the views of public opinion. Data were collected in 2007 through personal interviews with 90 MPs and a public opinion survey (IntUne project). The attitudes of MPs are discussed with regard to three dimensions of European citizenship: identity, representation, and scope of governance. There are traditionalists, formalists, and liberals among the MPs. Their trust in EU institutions and their perceptions of EU policy areas and levels of policymaking are strongly influenced by political ideology and party affiliation.