Losing Independence or Finally Gaining Recognition?

Abstract

Based on a survey of national parties represented in the European Parliament carried out in spring 1998, this article presents the results of the first comparative study on the relations between MEPs and their national parties. Due to the increased powers of the European Union, parties have an incentive to control their MEPs and to benefit from their expertise on European matters. The findings show that MEPs are still rather independent of their parties. Scrutiny of MEP behaviour is based on consultation rather than on voting instructions. MEPs have gained more political weight and their policy influence is particularly large in small parties.