The year 2024 marks a significant political moment for the European Union and its 27 member states. From 6 to 9 June 2024, over 370 million people from 27 member states will vote in the European elections. These elections represent one of the most important democratic events globally and they are the only multinational elections in the world.
Our aim is to bring the spirit of the EU elections to Montenegro and discuss their potential implications for the EU integration process. Therefore, join us at Europe House on Thursday, 6 June, starting at 7 p.m.
Political Groups in 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 seven political groups in the European Parliament.
Precisely 23 Members are needed to form a political group, and at least one-quarter of the Member States must be represented within the 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.
For more information visit: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/about-parliament/en/organisation-and-rules/organisation/political-groups
The European People’s Party (EPP) is a centre-right political group in the European Parliament, focusing on the pro-European integration, conservative economic policies, and a social market economy. It advocates for a strong, united Europe with a robust internal market and sustainable growth. The EPP emphasises the importance of social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and digital innovation. Its members mainly include Christian democrats, conservatives, and other centre-right parties across the EU. The EPP has been the largest party in the European Parliament since 1999 and in the European Council since 2002. It is also the largest party in the current European Commission. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, come from the EPP. According to their website, the EPP is “a family of centre-right political groups, whose roots run deep in the history and civilisation of the European continent and has been a pioneer of the European project since its inception.” Significant national parties within the EPP include Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), represented by Manfred Weber, who is the President of the EPP. Spain’s People’s Party (PP), Poland’s Civic Platform (PO), the Austrian People’s Party, the Finnish National Coalition Party, and the Croatian Democratic Union are some of the EPP members.
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D)
The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) is a centre-left political group dedicated to promoting social justice, workers’ rights, and sustainable development. It supports policies aimed at reducing inequality, enhancing social protection, and protecting the environment. The S&D advocates for a more inclusive and fair European Union, emphasising the importance of solidarity and cooperation among member states. The S&D was officially founded in 1953, making it the second oldest political group in the European Parliament. Until the 1999 European Parliament elections, they were the largest group in the parliament, but have been the second largest ever since. According to their website, the S&D advocates for “gender equality and women’s rights, affordable and decent housing for all, the Green Deal, social and labour rights for all EU citizens, an inclusive digital Europe, strengthening Europe’s global position, putting people and the planet first with responsible business conduct, and combating fascism and the extreme right.” Key national parties within the S&D include the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), with prominent members such as Martin Schulz, former President of the European Parliament and current Chancellor of Germany. The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) is another significant member, represented by figures like Iratxe García Pérez, the current leader of the S&D group in the EP, as well as Italy’s Democratic Party (PD) with David Sassoli, former President of the European Parliament, Croatia’s Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Swedish and Romanian Social Democratic parties, and others.
Renew Europe is a centrist and liberal political group in the European Parliament, focusing on promoting a more dynamic, innovative, and integrated Europe. It advocates for economic liberalism, social progress, and environmental sustainability. RE aims to foster a competitive single market, advance digital transformation, and support the rule of law and fundamental rights across the EU. RE believes that “for the European Union to be strong, it must be both a project of European unification after the Cold War, and a peace project after World War II. The reunification of Europe through a true and deep process of integration of all European countries, from east to west and from north to south, must remain a key element of the Europe of the future.” Prominent national parties within RE include France’s Renaissance (RE) (formerly La République En Marche!)—the political party of French President Emmanuel Macron, the Dutch Democrats 66 (D66) with influential members like Sophie in ‘t Veld. From Romania, the Save Romania Union (USR) is a notable member, with significant politicians such as Dacian Cioloș, who has been the leader of the RE group and a former Prime Minister.
Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA)
The Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) is a political group that combines green politics with regionalist and minority interests. It advocates for environmental sustainability, climate action, human rights, and social justice. The Greens/EFA emphasise the importance of transitioning to a sustainable economy, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring social equality. According to their website, “The Greens have made a difference and fought for Europe to become a global leader in terms of climate and environmental protection, peace and social justice, fair globalisation, and in the fight for human rights and self-determination.” With 72 members (35 women and 37 men) from across Europe, it is the fourth-largest group in the European Parliament and the only one that has always had gender-balanced co-presidency. Significant national parties within the Greens/EFA include Germany’s Alliance 90/The Greens, with prominent members such as Ska Keller, co-president of the group. France’s Europe Ecology – The Greens (EELV), the Czech Pirate Party, the Swedish Green Party, and Austria’s The Greens – The Green Alternative are some of the important members.
Identity and Democracy (ID) is a right-wing and far-right political group in the European Parliament, focused on nationalism, Euroscepticism, and strict immigration control. It opposes any further European integration, advocating instead for the sovereignty of member states and the reduction of the EU institutions’ powers. The ID group promotes policies aimed at preserving national identities and cultures. The group states that its core priorities are the protection of Europe’s cultural heritage and the sovereignty of European nations, creating jobs and growth, increasing security, stopping illegal immigration, regulating legal immigration, fighting against the EU bureaucracy, and preventing what it describes as the potential Islamisation of Europe. The ID also opposes the potential accession of Turkey to the European Union. The group advocates for a Europe based on cooperation and further EU reforms through “more transparency and accountability” in Brussels but rejects further evolution towards a “European superstate”. Significant national parties within the ID include Italy’s League (Lega), represented by figures like Matteo Salvini, France’s National Rally (RN), with Marine Le Pen as a prominent figure, and other parties such as Austria’s Freedom Party. In May 2024, Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) was expelled from ID.
European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) is a right-wing political group promoting Euroscepticism, national sovereignty, and conservative values. It advocates for economic liberalism, a reformed EU that respects the autonomy of member states, and traditional social policies. The ECR group seeks to limit the EU’s intervention in national affairs and prioritises national interests. According to their website, “the ECR is a centre-right political group in the European Parliament, founded in 2009 with a shared goal of reforming the EU based on eurorealism, respecting the sovereignty of nations, and focusing on economic recovery, growth, and competitiveness. ECR focuses its efforts on decentralisation, connecting people and businesses, promoting fair and free trade, and creating a safe and secure Europe.” Key national parties within the ECR include Brothers of Italy, with Italian Prime Minister and ECR President Giorgia Meloni, Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS), with significant members like Ryszard Legutko—co-president of the group, the Czech Civic Democratic Party (ODS), Spain’s Vox party, and the Swedish Democrats.
The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL
The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL is a left-wing political group advocating for anti-capitalism, social equality, and environmental sustainability. It supports policies aimed at reducing social and economic inequalities, strengthening public services, and promoting peace and solidarity. The group is committed to a progressive and transformative European agenda. According to their website, “The Left stands for workers, the environment, feminism, peace, and human rights.”
“The radically market-oriented logic of competition within the EU and towards the rest of the world means that the current project is designed for elites, not people. We are committed to changing that, breaking the Brussels bubble and bringing the voice of the streets to the European Parliament,” they state on their website. Prominent national parties within GUE/NGL include Greece’s Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), Spain’s Unidas Podemos, Germany’s The Left (Die Linke), and France’s Unbowed France.