Living inside the political groups

Abstract

This chapter highlights the views of former MEPs on the growing influence of the political groups not only on the main decisions of the Parliament but also on the daily parliamentary life of its Members. It notes the development beyond the Parliament’s official bodies, where every group is duly represented, of unofficial structures, notably the “grand coalition”. It presents the views of MEPs on how this coalition worked in the legislative arena and influenced nominations. It looks at the relationship between the groups and the committees of the Parliament including through the work of group coordinators and concludes by considering the internal workings of the groups, notably the national delegations.