The project aims to study the religious preferences of MEPs and the impact of these on their political behaviour. The analysis also includes the philosophical preferences that can be defined as alternatives or contrasts to religious preferences.

The interactions between religion and politics in the European integration process are the focus of increasing attention in political and academic debates. However the body of research that has been developing for several years relates mainly to the representation of religious interests at the European Commission. The influence of actors and religious networks within the European Parliament give rise to many suppositions, ambitions or fears, but there is nothing tangible with which to evaluate them. Studying the preferences of European legislators will reveal the conditions in which religion exerts an influence and allow for an attempt to be made to measure the effects of this influence.

This analysis also aims to provide useful information on the socialisation capacities of the European Parliament vis-à-vis its members by focusing on an aspect of the normative orientations of MEPs that has been the subject of very little study to date. Furthermore, the denominational dimension is a particularly key factor in understanding partisan formations in the European Parliament and possible divisions between existing and new Member States. Finally, the religious variable provides an opportunity to investigate the way in coalitions are formed, particularly in relation to those matters that continue to move higher up the EU agenda (the fight against discrimination; ethical issues; geopolitical stakes; the accession of Turkey, etc.).

Co-ordinator: François Foret (CEVIPOL-IEE, Université Libre de Bruxelles), fforet@ulb.ac.be

Scientific partners: Pieter-Jan De Vlieger (Vrije Universiteit Brussel); Ulrike Liebert (University of Bremen); Martin Steven (University of Glasgow), Magdalena Góra, Krzysztof Kowalski, Zdzisław Mach, Katarzyna Zieliñska, (Centre for European Studies, Jagiellonian University, Kraków), Isabelle Depret (CIERL-ULB/IEP de Paris), Julia Permoser (Vienna University)

Supported by: Conseil de la Recherche de l’ULB; CEVIPOL; Institute of European Studies-ULB; Fonds de la recherche scientifique belge; Recon (Reconstituting Democracy in Europe, 6e FPR, http://www.reconproject.eu).

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