Second-Order Selections? The Determinants of Candidate Selection Processes for European Elections

Candidate selection is generally considered as a main filter to political positions. Even if political parties allegedly devote little time and interest to EP election processes, drafting lists for European elections has become an unavoidable exercise for them - not least given the resource opportunities provided for by the EP, be it in terms of positions, of recognition or financially. What determines the ways in which political parties select their candidates for European elections? The electoral system and individual parties’ strategic and ideological considerations are usually acknowledged as shaping candidate selection processes. This paper further examines whether and how EU-related factors may affect the internal procedures of parties at this level. To do so, this research builds on a unique dataset recording the selection procedures set out ahead of the 2014 European elections in various political parties from the 28 member states (N=198). Bivariate and multivariate analyses are conducted. Results highlight that party ideology matters in a party’s choice of a particular selection procedure. Regional patterns are also highlighted.