The Political groups of the European Parliament 

The Members of the European Parliament sit in political groups – they are not organised by nationality, but by political affiliation. There are currently 8 political groups in the European Parliament.

The minimum number of Members needed to form a political group is 23, and at least one-quarter of the Member States (currently seven) must be represented within each group. Members may not belong to more than one political group.

Some Members do not belong to any political group and are known as non-attached Members.

Political groups can be formed at any time during the parliamentary term.

Each political group takes care of its own internal organisation by appointing a chair (or co-chairs), a bureau and a secretariat.

Political groups enjoy certain advantages: they play an important role in setting the Parliament’s agenda, are allocated more speaking time during debates and have more office space, staff and funds. They also decide on the set-up of parliamentary committees and delegations.

The allocation of seats in the plenary chamber is decided by political affiliation, from left to right, by agreement with the group chairs.

Before every vote in plenary the political groups scrutinise the reports drawn up by the parliamentary committees and table amendments to them.

The position adopted by the political group is arrived at by discussion within the group. No Member can be forced to vote in a particular way.