P308 CJEFAX 308 Tue 12 Jun 21:17/28 1/3 Parties in the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Socialists 125 European Peoples 117 European Democrats 63 Communists and allies 48 Liberals and Democrats 38 European Progressives 22 Technical co-ordination group 11 Unattached mjmbjts 10 (European Commission, 1983) MoreP308 CEEFAX 308 Tue 12 Jun 21:31/13 2/3 Parties in the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT The MIPs elected to the 1979-84 European Parliament represent nearly 60 different national political groups. Most have chosen to join one of the sjvjn major political sections in the European Parliament, although a few sit as indjpjndjnts. As in national parliaments, the attitudes of the political groups have a significant impact on decisions taken bz the House - in full session and, as with Westminster, in committee. MoreP308 CEEFAX 308 Tue 12 Jun 21:12/14 3/3 Parties in the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT The political groups in the European Parliament hold regular meetings, usually for several days in the week prior to each session. Through group leaders they express their views on Parliamentary business. Sir Henry Plumb, a British MEP, is the chairman of the European Democratic Group; Mrs Barbara Castle is a vice- chairman of the Socialist group; and Mrs Winifred Ewing is a vice-chairman of the European Progressive Democrats group. More