‘Not Falling but Stalling’ Women and the 2011 Scottish Parliament Elections.
European Parliament elections at 1st glance
Transcript of European Parliament elections at 1st glance
European Parliament elections at 1st glance
ContentsSocialist Social Democrat Centre Left
Christian Democrat Centre-right
Liberal Centrist
Conservative right-wing (further right than the EPP)
Green Centre left to leftist
Communist Far left
Populist-Eurosceptic-nationalist
Socialist Social Democrat Centre Left
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Socialist Social-Democrat Centre-Left
Economic policies– Bigger EU budget
– Strongerfinancialregulationforbanks
Digital policies– Createlong-terminvestmentplantopreparefordigital
revolution and AI
– Fightfakenews
Climate/environment policies– Createlong-terminvestmentplantoprepareforgreen
transition
– Adopt a sustainable development pact and a just transition fund
– EUtoleadinrenewablesandbecomeclimate-neutralby2050
– NewtaxonCO2emissions
– Planforaffordablehousingandcleanpublictransport
– Reformofagriculturalpolicy
Social policies– Nojobwithoutacontract
– Nojobwithoutafairsalary
– Banonzero-hourscontractsandfakeself-employment
Tax policies– CommonEuropeanapproachtoensureaproperlevelofeffectivetaxationandstopdownwardcorporatetaxcompetition
Corporate governance policies– Protectwhistleblowers
Competition policies– Notinthemanifesto,buttheSpitzenkandidatsaidontherecordthatitiswrongtocallforachangeofthecompetitionrulesfollowingtheblockedSiemens-Alstommerger
– Weneed‘anotherindustrialpolicy’itis‘completelywrong’touseSiemens-Alstomasanexampleofwhythisisneeded,he said
Trade policies– Againnotinmanifesto,buttheSpitzenkandidatisinfavourofinternationaltradeandconcludingfree-tradeagreements(FTAs)
– BelievestheFTAsnegotiatedbytheCommissionwouldneedtobebetterexplainedtovotersandmoretransparent,becauseEUcitizensfearinternationaltradewill‘underminetheirjobs,socialandenvironmentalstandardsandconflictswouldnotbedealtwithbyjudges’
– Infavourofa‘democratization’ofthetraderules:iethattheCommissionwouldneedtoasktheEuropeanParliament(andnotonlytheCouncil)foramandate
– InfavourofopeningtradenegotiationswiththeUS(unlikesome Socialist MEPs in parliament)
– InfavourofmaintainingWTOrulesandmultilateralism
– T he challenge is that trade policies should not go against EU social and environmental standards
20.1%
142 seats
2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the number of seats will fall to 705 from 751)25.43%
191 seats
Our expectation: what does it mean in practice for businessWith the Socialists expectedtoloseasignificantnumberofvotes,MEPsfromthisgrouparelikelytokeeppushingforinitiatives popular to their votingbase,especiallyinrelationto:
– betterprotectionofsocialrightsofworkers;
– overhaulofthecorporatetaxationrulestoensure‘fairandtransparent’taxationofmultinationals;
– focusonstringentenvironmental and energypoliciestofightclimatechange;and
– strongfinancialregulation.
Party/groupPartyofEuropeanSocialists (S&D)
Spitzenkandidat (if applicable)
Frans Timmermans (Dutch)
Christian Democrat Centre-right
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Christian-Democrat Centre-right
Economic policies– EnforceEUeconomicrulesonmemberstates’publicfinances
– StrengthenEuropeantoolstocombateconomicshocksincludingbyturningtheEuropeanStabilityMechanismintoaEuropeanMonetaryFundandsettinguptheEuropeanDepositInsuranceScheme
– Deepen Eurozone integration
Digital policies– IncreaseinvestmentinAIandfosterhuman-centredinnovations(wherepeoplecomefirst)
– ModerniseEUlegislationtoensurefitnessfor technological changes
– Create a true European Innovation Union to remain competitive at the global level
– Ensureallregionsbenefitfromdigitalinfrastructure and education
– Protectprivacytoenhanceonlinetrust
Climate/environment policies– EffectivepriceonCO2withawell-functioningemissionstradingsystemandincentiviseemissionreductionsinEUindustriesandtheenergysector
– Enable investments and innovation in all technological solutions tolow-carbonmobility
– SafeguardsupplyofenergytoEuropeataffordableprices
– ModernisetheCommonAgriculturalPolicy
– Defendstandardsforagriculture,fisheriesandfoodquality
– Protecthealthagainstlower-qualityimports
Social policies– Equalopportunitiesforwomeninthelabourmarketthroughequalpayforequalworkandgreaterchoiceonbalancingworkand caring responsibilities
– Helpforthosewholosejobsthroughdigitisation andglobalisationbyincreasingtheEuropeanFund forTransition
– Improvetradedefenceandsystematicforeigninvestmentscreeningtoprotectworkersfromanti-dumping,delocalisationandtechnologysell-out
Tax policies– IntroduceaDigitalFairTax
– WorkforanOECD-levelsolutionforfightingtaxevasionandeliminatingtaxhavens
Corporate governance policies– Notinmanifesto
Competition policies– Forward-lookingEuropeanindustrialandcompetitionpolicytoallowglobalchampionstobebuiltinEurope,andtochallengecompetitorslikeChinaandtheUSwhiledefendingstrategicallyimportantEuropeansectorsagainstunfairpractices
– NotinmanifestobuttheSpitzenkandidatsaidontherecordthatweneedtothinkaboutapotentialvetomechanismondeals(notto the Council though)
– Proposenewlegislationonmergersforthenext fiveyears
Trade policies– Negotiatenewandadditionalfreeandfair-tradeagreements,alongsideongoingtalkswithMercosur,AustraliaandNewZealand,includingwiththeUS(withoutloweringstandards)
– CloserelationshipwiththeUKpost-BrexitwhilemaintainingintegrityoftheEU
– Qualifiedmajorityvotingtobeadoptedforforeignpolicy
Functioning of EU institutions– Give the European Parliament the right to initiate legislation
– Improvenationalandregionalparliaments’involvementinlaw-makingandoversight
26.7%
188 seats
2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the number of seats will fall to 705 from 751)29.43%
221 seats
Our expectation: what does it mean in practice for businessWhiletheEPPwillbethebiggestparty,itmaynotbeable to push its agenda throughwithoutcomingcloser to the centre ground oraligningwiththefartherright.
Duringthenextmandate,wecanexpecttheEPPtopushstronglyfor:
– commencementoffulltradenegotiationswiththeUS;
– competition rules to be updatedtofacilitatethebuildingofEuropeanchampions;and
– aEuropeanMonetaryFund.
Party/groupEuropeanPeople’sParty(EPP)
Spitzenkandidat (if applicable)
ManfredWeber (Germany)
Liberal Centrist
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Liberal Centrist
Party/groupAllianceofLiberalsandDemocratsfor Europe (ALDE)
Economic policies– SupportSMEs,‘thebackboneofprosperityinEurope’
– Createjobsthrougheasieraccesstofinance,simplerrules forinvestmentfunds
– Encourageknowledgeandtechnologytransferfromuniversitiesand research institutes
– ManageEUfundseffectivelytoensuretheEUbudgetdeliversonissues that matter to citizens
– Develop loans/guarantees to mobilise private capital and incentivise innovation
– ContinuetoreconstructtheEconomicandMonetary Union (EMU)
– RapidimplementationofaBankingUnionintheEurozone,basedonstrengtheningtheresponsibilityofownersandcreditors
– ReformtheEuropeanStabilityMechanismintoaEuropeanMonetaryFund
– Stableframeworkforsustainableinvestmentsandfinance
Digital policies– Invest in research and innovation
– Reachthetargetof3%ofEUGDPinvestedinresearchanddevelopmentby2020
– Enableself-drivingvehicles
– Buildafully-functioningDigitalSingleMarket
– Abolishgeoblocking
– Harmonise data protection policies
– EnsurefreeaccesstoinformationwhileguaranteeingIP rights
– Createalegalframeworkforblockchain,artificialintelligenceandotherswithoutstiflinginnovation
– Developdefensesagainsthybridactivities:disinformationcampaigns,cyberespionage,cyber-attacksandcrime
– DevelopasecuredigitalidentityforEuropeanstobeabletologinandsigndocumentssafely
– Digitise all public services
Climate/environment policies– TheEU’sbudgettoonlysupportprogrammesinlinewiththeEU’sclimateandenergyobjectives
– Ensuretransitiontoaresource-efficientcirculareconomy
– FollowtheParisAgreementtoavoidcostlylock-instohigh-carbon investments
– EUtotakegloballeadershipinsettingambitiousinternational targets
– CompletetheEnergyUnion
– MovetofosterR&Dinlowemissiontechnologies,infrastructure,cleanenergyproduction,energyefficiencyandareductionofindustryandtransportemissionsincluding aviation and shipping
– StrengthentheEUEmissionsTradingSystem-wherepossibleextenditsscopee.g.transport
– By2050theEUtobeacarbonneutraleconomywithitsenergysystemfullybasedonrenewableenergy:completethesingleEuropeanenergymarketwithfreeflowsofrenewableenergynow
– Reducegreenhousegasemissionsby55%by2030comparedto 1990 levels
– Pushformorezero-emissionvehiclesanddecarbonisationofall transport modes
10.21%
72 seats
2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the number of seats will fall to 705 from 751)8.92%
67 seats
Our expectation: what does it mean in practice for businessOverall,ALDEisexpectedtoretaintheroleof‘kingmaker’–canmakeavote go in one direction or another.
ALDEfocusesonitstraditional liberal and pro-European stances in favouroffreemarkets,open competition and trade. It also has a strong focusondigitalissuessuchasblockchainandAI.Theseissuesareexpectedtoremain high on the politicalagendathankstoALDE impetus.
Spitzenkandidat (if applicable)NoSpitzenkandidatappointedbut a team ofsevenseniorEUfiguresforming ‘TeamEurope’.Theyaredescribedas‘agroupofsevenpassionate leaders as diverse asEuropeitself,readytorenewEuropeandleadtheALDEelectoralcampaign’.
SomearealsorunningforMEP in their member state.
Nicola Beer (Germany)
Emma Bonino (Italy)
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Social policies– “AEuropethatrenewsitspromiseofastrongsocialcontractforacompetitiveeconomy”
– StrengthenourknowledgeeconomybyinvestinginresearchandinnovationandequippingEUworkforcewiththerightsetofskillsforthe21stcentury
Tax policies– Notinmanifesto
Corporate governance policies– Notinmanifesto
Competition policies– Encourage competition among companies in the digital
space
– Preventdevelopmentofmonopoliesinthedigitalspace
– Ensure competition to develop innovative services
Trade policies– EU to set global standards in international trade and promotefreeandrules-basedtrade
– Pushformodernandprogressivefreetradeagreements-contenttobeexplainedinclearlanguagetothepublic
– Support the European Commission negotiate more trade deals–futureagreementsshouldpreservehumandignityandhumanworkingconditions,sustainabilityandanti-corruption
EU institutions functioning– EUtoencouragedecentralisationanddiversity,notburdensomebureaucracyandover-regulation
– MoretransparentandefficientEUinstitutions
– EuropeanParliamenttoonlyhaveoneseatinBrussels
– Give the European Parliament the right to initiate legislation
– EnsuremoretransparencyofnegotiationsandvotingwithintheCouncil
– BetterpromotethepositiveimpactofEUpoliciesandco-operationonthelivesofcitizens
Violeta Bulc (Slovenia)
KatalinCseh (Hungary)
Luis Garicano (Spain)
GuyVerhofstadt (Belgium)
Margrethe Vestager (Denmark)
Conservative right-wing (further right than the EPP)
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Conservative right-wing (further right than the EPP)
Party/groupEuropean Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR)
Spitzenkandidat (if applicable)
Economic policies
– NofurtherintegrationoftheEurozone
Digital policies– Notinmanifesto
Climate/environment policies– Protectionofwildlifeandendangeredanimals
– LoweringemissionsthroughtheETS
– Balancebetweenensuringaprosperousfishingsector,meetingthedemandsofconsumersandensuringsustainability
– Diversificationofenergysupply,particularlyawayfromRussia,andoppositiontoNordstreamII
Social policies– Notinmanifesto
Tax policies– TaxcompetitionisoneofthesourcesofEuropeanprosperityandshouldremainamemberstatecompetency
Corporate governance policies
– Protectingwhistleblowers
Competition policies– Againstreformofcompetitionpolicytofacilitate
European champions
Trade policies– Pro-trade
– SupportiveofopeningEUmarkettonon-EUproductsinalimitedandcontrolledway,whilstensuringEUproductshaveimprovedaccesstonon-EUmarkets
– BelievesEUshouldretaliateagainstUStariffs
Functioning of the EU institutions– GeneralreviewoftheEUinstitutionsandagencies,aswellasafreezeonnewproposals,asidefromthoseagreedunanimouslybythecouncil
– Oppositionforincreaseduseofqualified majorityvoting
– Infavourof‘multi-speed’EU
7.5 %
53 seats
2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the number of seats will fall to 705 from 751)9.3%
70 seats
Our expectation: what does it mean in practice for businessCurrent polling suggests the ECRwillfallfrombeingthethirdlargestpartytothefifth,withtheGreensandfar-leftonlyafewseatsbehind.TheeventuallossoftheUKConservativePartynotonlywillaffecttheECRnumberofseatsbutalsotheiragendaandthewaybusinessesinteractwiththem.TheyareexpectedtomaintaintheUKConservativeMEPs’pro-businessstance(fightingforde-regulation)but,depending on the parliamentaryarithmetic,wemightseetheECRshiftfurthertotherightandalignwithpopulistpartiestooppose:
– economic,fiscalandpoliticalintegration;
– institutionalreform;and
– reformofcompetitionlawtofacilitatethebuildingofEuropean champions.
Jan Zahradil (Czech Republic)
Green Centre-left to leftist
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Green Centre-left to leftist
Party/group
EuropeanGreenParty/Green-European Free Alliance
Spitzenkandidat(ifapplicable)
Economic policies– Investinajustgreeneconomy,researchandinnovation
– Promotegreenmanufacturingandfinancewithoutgreenwashing
– Developadequateinfrastructure:emphasistobeputonresearchand eco-innovation
– Europetomoveawayfromfossilfuelsbypullingprivateandpublicfundsfromfossilinvestments
Digital policies– CreateaneffectiveandindependentEUauthoritytosupervisethedigitalsectortocontrolandlimitthemarketpowerofbigcorporations
Climate/environment policies– Phaseoutcoalby2030andotherfossilfuelssoonthereafter
– Phaseoutnuclearenergy
– Promoteenergyefficiency
– Moveto100%renewables
– Promoteajusttransitiontoacarbon-neutralcirculareconomythroughaGreenNewDeal
– Cutemissionsfastenoughtoreachthe1.5Climitbypromotingajusttransitiontowardsanet-zero- emissionseconomy
– DevelopanEUcarbonbudgetandastrongcarbonfloorprice
– Developsustainablealternativestoplasticandincreaserecyclingtargets
– Createanewenvironmentalactionprogramme
– Ban the most poisonous pesticides as soon as possible
– LinkEUagriculturalpolicysupporttoenvironmentalandclimateprotection(safeguardwater,investinanimalwelfare,protectbiodiversityandrefrainfromusingGMOs)
Social policies– Createsustainablejobsinregionsaffectedbythephasingoutoffossilenergy
– Fight social dumping
– Securefairpay,unionrightsanddecent workingconditions
– Adoptaminimumincomedirective,respectingnationalsocialsecuritysystems
– Developfairlypaidsickleaveandfairparentalleaveinallcountries
– Pilotuniversalbasicincomeandworking-timereductionschemes
– Guaranteesocialprotectionforyoungpeoplethroughminimumincome,andbasicincomepilots
Tax policies– Fairtaxationofairtravel
– Non-recyclableplasticstobetaxedorbanned
– Developtaxregimesthatdonotbenefitlargemultinationalsandwealthyindividuals
– Continuetocrackdownontaxhavens,taxevasion,taxavoidanceandmoneylaundering
– IntroduceanEUdigitaltax
– Againstunfairtaxcompetitionbetween member states
Corporate governance policies– Ensureprotectionofactivists,journalistsandwhistle-blowers
Competition policies– NotinmanifestobuttheSpitzenkandidatBasEickhoutisagainstgivingindividualmemberstatesthepowertooverruleaCommissiondecisionbecause‘that’stheendoftheinternalmarketandcompetitionrules’
– Thereshouldbe‘moreroomforpoliticalcontextaroundglobalcompetition’incompetitionpoliciesbutitshouldremain‘inthehandsoftheCommission’
– ‘Importanttobasecompetitiononstrictrulesbutcan’thurttohaveabitmoreflexibility[…]whenthereisapoliticaljudgementtobemadeatacertainmoment’
Trade policies– NotinmanifestobutEickhoutbelievesthat‘tradeisameanstoachievesomething,notatargetonitsown’
– Trade agreements must not undermine environmental and social progress
– ReadytoimposetariffsagainsttheUSifneeded
– SDGshouldbeatthecoreoftradepolicy
Functioning of the EU institutions– EnsuremoreEUinstitutionaltransparency
– Imposetransparencyoflobbyingactivities
– EuropeanParliamentshouldbeabletoremoveunderperformingCommissioners
6.9%
52 seats
2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the number of seats will fall to 705 from 751)6.6%
50 seats
Our expectation: what does it mean in practice for businessTheGreensarefocusedonthefightagainstclimatechange. As a result the promotionofbiodiversityandcleanenergywillbeatthecoreofthenextmandateoftheEuropeanParliament and Commission. Compromises willhavetobefoundanditremainstobeseenhowcoalitionswouldbeformed,buttheGreens’long-standing proposals on these issues cannot be ignored.
BasEickhout(Netherlands)
SkaKeller (Germany)
Communist Far left
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Communist Far left
Party/group
Spitzenkandidat (if applicable)
Economic policies– ChangetheECB’smissiontoincludeemployment goalsandoverrideitsautonomyinfavouroftrue democraticaccountability
– Abolishthefiscalandgrowthpact
– Endausterity
Prioritise a social public investment programme– Mimictheformsofeconomicandsocialalternativesthatemergedfromtheexperiencesofsocialco-operativesandtheself-managementofrecoveredfactories
– Stopthedevelopmentofatwo-speedEurope–‘weworkforallcountriesinEuropetodevelopinaco-operativeway’
– UseEUbudgetforsolidarityandredistributionthrough ‘thedemocraticcontroloffinancialmarketsandthepublic,democraticownershipofbanks’
– SetoutaEuropeanconferenceonpublicdebttofinaliseandputinplacestructuralandlong-termsolutionsforitsrestructuringandreduction
Digital policies– Equalrightsofaccesstoculturalresources(includinginformationanddigitalplatforms)
– Promotedigitaldemocracy,internetneutralityandfreedomofspeech
Climate/environment policies– Preventprivatisationofnaturalresourcesandpublicgoods
– Createafundamentalrightofaccesstoenergyandwater
– Reducedependenceonfossilfuels
– Develop short production and consumption circuits to minimise the useofresources
– Fightclimatechangebydevelopingtruerenewableenergiesandenergysavings,improvementofpublictransport,andagainstnewmarketsolutionstocarbonemissions
– Developeconomicallyandecologically sustainable agriculture
– Protecttheseaandusemarineresourcesinanon-exploitativeway
– Fightagainstmarinepollutionandprotectoil,mining and gas reserves
Tax policies– Secureadequatesalariesanduniversalaccesstopensions
– Takeconcretemeasuresagainstpoverty
– ImposeaFinancialTransactionsTax(FTT)
– Developaminimumtaxforlargecorporates
– Takemeasuresagainsttaxevasionandendtaxhavens
Corporate governance policies– Imposepubliccountry-by-countryreporting‘definingobligationsoffulltransparencyforthestrategiesofthebigcompaniesactinginEurope’
– Strengthenthefightagainstcorruptionthroughindependentcontrol
– Respectpopularsovereigntyandpromotecitizens’involvementinEUdecision-making
– Legallyprotectwhistleblowersandjournalists
Competition policies– Notinmanifesto
Trade policies– Fightagainstfreetradeagreements
– Internationaltradeagreementswhichthreatenagriculture,industry,audio-visualbroadcasting,workers’rights,theenvironment,andculturemustberescinded
– SuspendEUassociationagreementswithcountriesthatviolatehumanrightsand/oroccupydisputedterritories,notablyIsraeland
Morocco
Functioning of EU institutions– Notinmanifesto
7.2%
51 seats
2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the number of seats will fall to 705 from 751)6.9%
52 seats
Our expectation: what does it mean in practice for businessTheGUEareexpectedtoremainamarginalforceinthe European Parliament withlimitedinfluenceonpolicy-making.However,inthelikelyscenarioofamorefragmentedparliament,findingallianceswillbemoredifficultandGUEMEPs,whoarebroadlypro-European,willprobablybeneeded to secure voting majorityonspecificproposals,withothergroups(suchastheS&D,Greens,ALDEandevenEPP)on some particular issues.
Violeta Tomic (Slovenian)
Nico Cue (Belgium)
Populist-Eurosceptic- nationalist
Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)
Populist/ Eurosceptic/ nationalist
Party/groupPre-election:
EFDD(EuropeofFreedomandDirectDemocracy)
ENF(EuropeofNationsandFreedom)
Post-election(possibly):
EuropeanAllianceofPeoplesand Nations (EAPN)
Spitzenkandidat (if applicable)N/A
Thereisnocommonmanifestoyetandtheformationofanewpoliticalgroup(s)cannotoccuruntilaftertheelection(agroup needs to have at least 25 MEPs representing at least a quarterofEUmemberstates).Itisthereforetooearlytodeterminekeypriorities,althoughthemanifestosofsomeflagshipnationalparties(egtheGermanAlternativfürDeutschland (AfD) and the French Rassemblement National (RN))givessomeindicationoftheirdirectionoftraveland
possiblepointsof(dis)agreement.
Economic policiesAfD
– Reintroductionofnationalcurrencywhilemaintainingtheeuro in parallel
– RejectionofEUrulesontheresolutionofbanksandroleoftheECBinsupervisingbanking
RN
– Decrease French contribution to the EU budget
– Alignmonetarycreationwiththerealeconomyratherthanfinance
– Includethefightagainstunemploymentinthemissionsofthe ECB
Digital policies
AfD
– Increasedindependencefromforeignhardwareandsoftware
– Avoidover-regulationoftechsector
Climate/environment policiesAfD
– Reject Paris climate agreement and decarbonisation
– Favourmixtureofenergysources,includingthroughNordstreamIIandthedevelopmentofnewtypesofnuclear reactors
RN
– Favourlocalproductionandconsumptionbyde-taxingshort/localproductioncircuitsandover-taxingglobalisedand non-sustainable imports
Social policiesAfD
– Rejectstandardisationofsocialsecuritysystems
– Restrictwagedumpingthroughadditionalcontrolsontemporaryworkcontractsforlow-paidforeignworkers
RN
– Rejectstandardisationofsocialandfiscalsystemstopreserve French interests
– RepealtheDirectiveonPostedWorkers
Tax policiesAfD
– WorkforanOECD-levelsolutionforfightingtaxevasionandeliminatingtaxhavens
– Supportafinancialtransactiontax,ifintroducedatalltradingvenues,alsooutsidetheEU,andcollectednationwide
RN
– DecreasetaxforFrenchcitizens
– DecreasetaxforSMEs
Competition policiesAfD
– Public procurement in critical areas should be geared towardslong-termstrategicandsecurityconsiderations
RN
– Enddogmaoffreecompetition
– GiveprioritytoFrenchcompaniesinpublicprocurement
– Recognisethe‘nationalresponsibilityofcompanies’toencouragevirtuousbehaviours(suchasrefusalofdelocalisationandhiringofdomesticworkers)
EFDD
30 seats
4.26%
ENF
61 seats
8.65%
2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the number of seats will fall to 705 from 751)EFDD
48
6.39%
ENF
- 24 seats
- 4.1%
Our expectation: what does it mean in practice for businessCurrenttalksbetweennationalpartieswithinthesegroupsareongoing(suchasItaly’sLegaandGermany’sAfD,bothmembersoftheEFDD,andItaly’sMovimento5StelleandAustria’sFPÖ,bothmembersoftheENF).Bringingtogether these parties has been historicallydifficult,notablybecausetheirviewsonsocial,economicandenvironmentalpolicy
differwidely.
However,thetrickwilllikelybeunitingeveryonearoundacommoninterest(opposingtheEU’sposition).Ifeffective,thiscouldresultinlegislativeparalysis.Suchgroup(s)wouldattempttoslowdowntheEU’sagendaandopposeanyformofeconomic,fiscaland political integration.