Kulisseista puoluejohdon valvontaan? : Euroedustajien ja kansallisten puolueiden yhteydet

Authors

• Tapio Raunio

Abstract

Parliament carried out in spring 1998, the article presents the results of the first ever EU-wide study on relations between members of the European Parliament and their national parties. The hypotheses are that (1) contacts have become more frequent and institutionalized in the 1990s and that (2) MEPs are subject to tighter control from their national parties. The explanatory factor is the increase in the EU’s powers. While the findings validate these hypotheses, MEPs are nevertheless still rather independent in their work. Scrutiny of MEP behaviour is based on consultation rather than on any strict voting mandates. The answers to the surveyalso show that MEPs have gained more political weight and their policy expertise on European issues is taken into account in party policy formulation on EUmatters. However, scrutiny of MEPs is problematic for the EP party groups and emerging party cooperation at the European level.