The European Parliament is the legislative body of the European Union, elected every five years by citizens of the EU. The Parliament is composed of 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) representing more than 500 million people from 28 member states. MEPs are organised into a number of political groups, each of which is made up of parties from different member states.
European People’s Party (EPP)
The European People’s Party (EPP) is the largest political group in the European Parliament, and is a centre-right coalition of political parties. It is composed of representatives from over 20 countries and includes the Christian Democrats, the Conservative Party, and the Centre Party. The EPP has the largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament, and has held the majority in the Parliament since 1979.
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D)
The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) is the second-largest political group in the European Parliament. It is a centre-left coalition of political parties, and includes the Socialists, the Social Democrats, and the Labour Party. The S&D is the second-largest political group in the Parliament, and has held the second-largest number of MEPs since 1979.
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is a centre-right political group in the European Parliament. It is composed of representatives from more than 10 countries and includes the Liberal Democrats, the Free Democrats, and the Radical Democrats. The ALDE has held the third-largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament since 1979.
European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) is a centre-right political group in the European Parliament. It is composed of representatives from more than 10 countries and includes the Conservatives, the Reformists, and the Christian Democrats. The ECR has held the fourth-largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament since 2009.
Greens–European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA)
The Greens–European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) is a left-wing political group in the European Parliament. It is composed of representatives from more than 10 countries and includes the Green Party, the Left Party, and the Pirate Party. The Greens/EFA has held the fifth-largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament since 2009.
European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)
The European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) is a left-wing political group in the European Parliament. It is composed of representatives from more than 10 countries and includes the Communists, the Socialists, and the Left Party. The GUE/NGL has held the sixth-largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament since 2009.
Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD)
The Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) is a right-wing political group in the European Parliament. It is composed of representatives from more than 10 countries and includes the Eurosceptics, the Libertarians, and the Nationalists. The EFDD has held the seventh-largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament since 2009.
Other Political Groups
There are several other political groups in the European Parliament, including:
- European Alliance for Freedom (EAfF) – a right-wing political group
- Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) – a left-wing political group
- European Democrats (ED) – a centre-right political group
- Independence/Democracy (ID) – a Eurosceptic political group
- Non-Inscrits (NI) – a group of independent MEPs
The political groups in the European Parliament play an important role in shaping European policy and legislation. Each political group has its own agenda and priorities, and works together to ensure that its views are heard and taken into account in the decision-making process.
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