In June 2004, the sixth direct election of the European Parliament took place. In this volume, political scientists and communication scholars from almost all EU member states investigate in country chapters and comparatively the political parties' campaigns, mass media's election coverage, citizens' engagement, and the short- and long-term effects of the European integration process.

Michaela Maier is junior professor for applied psychology of communication at the University Koblenz-Landau (Germany). Jens Tenscher is junior-professor for political studies at the University Koblenz-Landau (Germany).