Rediscovering Europe in the Netherlands - St Antony's College ...

politics and administration
but also had no idea of how to talk about Europe in the media. Their divergent,
sometimes conflicting calls for a ‘Yes’ vote lacked authority and
conviction (Schmidt 2006: 261-262). In order to reach the public on European
issues, capable politicians who are willing and able to develop a
communicative discourse are needed (Pels 2007). These politicians will
have to align themselves with the logic of the media, especially on European
issues that are far removed from citizens’ personal experiences and
which generally reach them only via the media (De Vreese 2007; see also
chapter 6).
In addition to substantive incentives, the mobilisation of political parties
would also benefit from an improved embedding of European integration
into the party organisation. In this respect, proposals made in earlier
reports for more co-ordination between the parliamentary parties in The
Hague and Brussels/Strasbourg are particularly relevant (see section 3.3.2),
both regarding the substantive orientation and the strategic role division
concerning European issues. This co-ordination is shaped within the political
parties in varying ways, such as via institutionalised discussions, informal
and formal contacts via international secretaries who function as a link
between politicians and party leaders (Van den Berg and Brandsen 2007).
There are also contacts, albeit fairly unstructured, with similar parties in
other member states. To improve the contribution that political parties can
offer to the legitimisation of eu policy, it is essential to stimulate links of
this kind. This can occur, for example, via financial support from political
party think tanks to joint European publications, campaigns and debates.
This would further strengthen the national political embedding of eu
policy and at the same time stimulate the formation of a European political
sphere.
85
3.5 conclusion
Government, Parliament and political parties are indispensable when it
comes to the issue of improved legitimisation of eu policy in the Netherlands.
However, these actors have thus far not functioned optimally in this
regard. Therefore, radical changes are needed, in accordance with a strategy
that encompasses all four dimensions of legitimacy but leaves room for
specific emphases within that strategy depending on the specific issue and
context.
Output
The legitimisation of eu policy in the Netherlands has traditionally been
characterised by a strong focus on policy results and outcomes (chapter 2).
It is clear that the social relevance of actual policy results will continue to