Failure or long-haul? European elections and European integration

The impact of the direct election of the European Parliament is assessed with reference to the hopes of the proponents of European integration—increased weight for the Parliament, legitimacy for the institutions and achievements of European integration, and the development of trans-national political forces. Particular examination is made of the low level of turnout in the elections, of the absence of any Community-wide focus on personalities or on issues in the campaign and of the problems of the Socialist, Christian Democratic and Liberal party federations. One effect offering an integrative prospect is the emerging élite of full-time trans-national politicians.