Gradual, Pragmatic, and Flexible: The Europeanization of Institutions and the Coordination of EU Affairs

This article focuses on Slovenia’s efforts to institute national coordination of EU affairs and the related institutional shifts that followed in the 20 ensuing years of EU membership. By introducing gradual, pragmatic, and flexible adaptations, the Slovenian experience with Europeanization and its effects on the domestic political system confirmed the assumption that domestic institutions undergo incremental changes rather than radical transformations. If they wish to produce stronger national positions and advocate for them more effectively in the Brussels decision-making arena, institutions should (1) strive to balance effectiveness and inclusion of other stakeholders in EU policymaking, while also (2) investing more effort into improving expert knowledge on EU-related topics, growing skills, and increasing the number of EU specialists.