Towards a Distinct European Electorate? An Account of Voter Volatility across the European Union

Through a broadly comparative and quantitative methodological analysis, this article investigates voter volatility across the European Union (EU) since the first direct elections to the European Parliament. By way of a meticulous calculation, appraisal and comparison of electoral data at national and European levels, this study unravels parallel waves of changes occurred in all the EU Member States over thirty-five years. The aim of the research is to identify whether and to what extent a distinct European electorate is slowly emerging, hence confirming a progressive emancipation process of European Union politics. This multi-level cross-country electoral review, which entails both comparative politics and European Union studies perspectives, may be of interest to scholars of either fields.