Fading EUphoria: party system polarisation and EU attitudes in Greece, Portugal and Spain

Abstract

Greece, Portugal, and Spain transitioned to democracy in the 1970s and joined the EEC in the 1980s, fostering positive EU attitudes through economic growth. However, the Southern European financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures deeply strained EU support, especially in Greece. This study examines how party conflict and EU politicisation influence public attitudes, finding a negative link between EU polarisation and membership support. In Portugal and Greece, polarisation impacts opinions most when EU issues are salient. The study highlights country-specific patterns and the interplay of crises, political strategies, and public opinion on the EU in the Southern European third-wave democracies.