title: Political Parties in the European Union (The European Union Series)
author:  Simon Hix 
description: At the start of the European integration process in the early 1950's, several scholars predicted a central role for party politics in the construction of a European Community.
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  ##
  
  
  # Politics this week
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  May 28th 2016
  
  
  | [From the print edition](../..//printedition/2016-05-28)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/img1_u3.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  Alexander Van der Bellen, a former head of the Green party, won _Austria’s_
  presidential election by just 31,000 votes, defeating Norbert Hofer of the
  Freedom Party. Had he won this (largely ceremonial) post, Mr Hofer would have
  been the first far-right head of state in the European Union. His surprisingly
  high support reflected voter anger over immigration. As in several European
  countries, the far right has been making ground. See [here
  ](../../feed_1/article_1/index_u28.html)and
  [here](../../feed_9/article_3/index_u87.html).
  
  
  In Brussels _Greece’s_ creditors agreed on a deal to secure debt relief for
  the country. The measures, which were thrashed out in late-night talks after
  months of wrangling, are in