  We study parity violation in quasielastic (QE) electron-nucleus scattering
using the relativistic impulse approximation. Different fully relativistic
approaches have been considered to estimate the effects associated with the
final-state interactions. We have computed the parity-violating quasielastic
(PVQE) asymmetry and have analyzed its sensitivity to the different ingredients
that enter in the description of the reaction mechanism: final-state
interactions, nucleon off-shellness effects, current gauge ambiguities.
Particular attention has been paid to the description of the weak neutral
current form factors. The PVQE asymmetry is proven to be an excellent
observable when the goal is to get precise information on the axial-vector
sector of the weak neutral current. Specifically, from measurements of the
asymmetry at backward scattering angles good knowledge of the radiative
corrections entering in the isovector axial-vector sector can be gained.
Finally, scaling properties shown by the interference $\gamma-Z$ nuclear
responses are also analyzed.
