Political parties and elections

This chapter provides the topics of political parties and elections, subjects that have been mentioned at various points in the text but have yet to receive concerted, systemic treatment. Even in countries with plurality systems, however, there has been volatility and movement away from established parties. Moreover, continent-wide, if one looks at the overall vote of parties of the left and parties of the center and right over time, there is remarkable stability—parties of the right and center command approximately 55 percent of the vote, parties of the left about 40 percent of the vote. Constitutional questions also require a referendum in Spain, Ireland, Denmark, and Estonia, and in many states governments have the option of putting a question before voters. In general, turnout in European elections is high, particularly when compared with the US. The four-year term of the German Bundestag ended in September 2013, necessitating new elections.