In Pursuit of Democratic Legitimacy? Niklas Luhmann and the European Parliament Elections of 2014

Focusing on the 2014 European Parliament elections, this thesis utilizes Niklas Luhmann's theory of legitimacy to explore the significance of Spitzenkandidaten, or lead candidates, introduced by major European party groups. By providing a historical context, it examines the evolution of the European Parliament and argues that the pursuit of political legitimacy at the European level has been a crucial factor in its development, influencing recent electoral changes and political dynamics within the EU.