This thesis investigates the effect of the Euro crisis on the positions of the German mainstream parties SPD and CDU/CSU. Even though national parties are crucial political actors, their responses...Show moreThis thesis investigates the effect of the Euro crisis on the positions of the German mainstream parties SPD and CDU/CSU. Even though national parties are crucial political actors, their responses to the crisis have been researched insufficiently. To fill this gap, this thesis employs deductive, qualitative research. It combines data of party manifestos, televised debates and seven interviews with parliamentarians and parliamentarian assistants. In contrast to other studies on party position changes that are mostly quantitative, this thesis employs a qualitative design. The results entail that there was a small change in the positions of the two parties. The reactions of the parties were mostly similar. They did not change their stance towards the EU fundamentally; however, the EU gained salience. Through the crisis, the par-ties felt urged to give more explanations about the EU and their position towards it to citi-zens. This need arose from the increasing public Euroscepticism as well as the party-bound Euroscepticism embodied by the novel party AfD. CDU/CSU and SPD aimed at responding to these developments and at defending their traditionally pro-European stance. The results are relevant to researchers of European integration and party positions. They also generate advice for practitioners. Party politicians are recommended to make a distinct choice in case a novel (challenger) party emerges; to move closer to the party, or to stick to their own posi-tion. There can be valid reasons for both options but failure to make a clear enough decision can lead to regrets.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to analyse the differences between the Netherlands and Germany in their attitudes towards the EU corona rescue package. Both countries are similar in characteristics such...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to analyse the differences between the Netherlands and Germany in their attitudes towards the EU corona rescue package. Both countries are similar in characteristics such as economic and political system, geographical position in the EU, culture and fiscal policies. Nonetheless, during the negotiation rounds for the corona rescue package both countries had taken opposite positions. Whereas the Netherlands became known as the leader of ‘the frugal four’, Germany proposed the largest economic support programme ever seen in the EU. Questions can be raised why countries that are similar in characteristics and used to be on the same line in previous EU crisis are now taking such different stances. The literature on international decision-making has identified three important factors that can influence international decision making. These are the role of national interests, the role of institutions, and the role of ideas. This thesis will focus on these three explanatory factors in order to get a better understanding of the differences in outcome by the Netherlands and Germany. It has been found that in both countries national interests can be considered an important factor. However, in the Netherlands national interests have been portrayed differently as compared to Germany. Furthermore, the role of institutional factors can be identified as a second explanatory variable for the outcome. In the case of the Netherlands it became clear that the government had to align itself with the principles and values that are part of the EU as an institution. For Germany, it became clear that institutional factors have led to an alignment of German national interests with those of the EU. Lastly, the explanatory variable of ideas can be considered important since it has been found that both governments acted according to the ideas that where present in the Dutch and German societies. However, it is not clear if it was the government that has influenced society or that it was the other way around. This thesis will continue with an introduction consisting of essential context and the research question, followed by a literature review, a detailed chapter on the research design, the empirical data, and an analysis of the results.Show less
