Mobilizing Europe in the National Competition

The study of the “uses” of Europe by the leaders of the Front national shows how the opening of a new European political space can have indirect effects, in supporting political parties at the domestic level and strengthening specific actors inside political organizations. The European theme, elections and parliamentary institution are transformed by FN leaders into material as well as symbolic resources, mobilized in the national political space at both inter- and intra-party level. These uses of Europe reinforce the capacity for action of the party as well as its legitimacy and visibility. It helps FN actors to widen their electorate and helps the party president to strengthen her own position inside the party. The article reveals the – relative – specificity of the FN case and underlines that these “uses” of Europe by political actors are linked to contextual and institutional factors, as well as to the ideological, cultural and organizational dimensions of political parties. In that regard, the study emphasizes strong continuity in the practices of the FN leadership. The analysis finally shows the concrete process of the Europeanization of the FN and helps us understand the impact of European integration on domestic political competition.