EP groups after the elections....

[doktorb]

With the increase in IND/DEM and "other" MEPs this year, the new requirement for forming Groups, and seeming disquiet over the British Conservatives choice of new bedfellows, what Parliament groups and alliances will be formed for the next session in July... ?

[doktorb]

I am not sure what will happen to the 80-odd currently under the term "others" . If Cameron gets his way and forms this "new conservative" group, then what happens to (and what will be the chosen name?) of the existing EDD?

[doktorb]

There's about a month of trading and comprimise between now and the first meeting, so all kinds of groups could be considered ...

[doktorb]

As far as I understand it (from rumour and message boards and what not)

Socialist group to be renamed

IND/DEM and UEN to break up, some members flirting with the idea of a grouping but may not go anywhere

EPP-ED to become "EPP" on one side, "ED" on the other, though not enough parties yet to form the latter.

[doktorb]

If there is, it's by accident rather than design. There has been a division, of sorts, since the introduction of the €.

[doktorb]

guidofawkes: Guido Fawkes : +++ New Group “European Conservatives and Reformists” +++: Tagged: EU

[doktorb]

Bit more detail, from VoteUK forum via ConservativeHome

ConHome says the new group with the Tories is called European Conservatives and Reformists. Its composition so far:
26 British Conservative MEPs
15 Polish MEPs from the Law and Justice Party
9 Czech MEPs from the Civic Democratic Party
1 MEP from Belgium's Lijst Dedecker - Derk Jan Eppink, a Dutchman who is a former senior European Commission official
1 MEP from Finland's Centre Party, Keskusta - Hannu Takkula (who has left the Liberal Group where the rest of his party sits)
1 MEP from the Hungarian Democratic Forum - Lajos Bokros, a former finance minister
1 MEP from the Latvian National Independence Movement - Roberts Zile, a former finance and transport minister
1 MEP from the Dutch Christian Union - Peter van Dale

[doktorb]

Looks like Nigel Farage will struggle to form any kind of group from what's left of UEN/IND/DEM

[doktorb]

The Pirates Party has joined Green/EFA

[doktorb]

The EPP seems now to have members from almost every country. Except the UK, hah...........

[doktorb]

Presenting http://euobserver.com/843/28394

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[doktorb]

I just noticed that the Netherlands is the only member state with representation in all seven European groups. And then there are 4 Dutch non-inscrits as well.

Poland is only represented in three groups (with 50 MEPs), while Latvia manages to spread its 8 MEPs over 6 groups.

Ah, the Dutch, clever fellows. Know how to spread the love around.....

[clears throat]