Brexit. A small earthquake in the European Parliament
(BRUSSELS2) A possible Brexit during the June 23 referendum risks causing a mini-tsunami in the European Parliament. Some political groups are going to have an existential problem. In a way, this departure will significantly reduce the weight of Eurosceptics in the assembly.
A group loses its status
The Sovereignists ofEFDD extension risk their survival. They will lose 22 members (from UKIP) to 24 members. Or below the current double bar set by the European Parliament to form a political group: number of MEPs and minimum number of Member States (1). Except to review this regulation.
PiS Poles dominate conservative group
For the Conservatives of the ECR, it is also a trauma but less vital. They will lose 21 MPs (from the Tories), dropping to 52 members. They regress from 3rd to 5th rank, reaching the same level as the United Left. A very important concept in the European Parliament, whether in the speaking order of the groups or in the distribution of the various resources (financial, rooms, etc.) and powers (chairmanships of committees, etc.), with the application of Hondt's rule (enhanced proportional).
This will also change the turn of the group which was based on two essential poles: British and Polish. The Poles of the PiS (law and justice) will be in the majority in this group. But they could lose the presidency of the Defense sub-committee, thanks to the mid-term change...
The socialist group withdraws from the EPP
The Social and Democratic (S&D) group is expected to suffer a notable loss. The departure of 20 Labor members made it drop out of the leading group in Parliament, the EPP. It goes from 189 to 169 votes, that is to say nearly 50 votes difference from the EPP group (215 members).
Little damage to the far right
The nationalist group (Europe of Nations and Freedoms EFN), dominated by the National Front, also lost a deputy. But it is not in danger of losing group status, keeping at least MEPs from 8 Member States.
Marginal effect for other groups
The other groups (Liberals, Left) are affected more marginally, each having only one British MP among their members (2).
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
On the subject read also:
- In the event of Brexit, the Brits deprived of the right to vote… from June 24 (Lamassoure)
- Brexit! What is the withdrawal procedure? When is it applicable?
- or any articles mentioning the Brexit
(1) Today, to form a political group, you need a minimum of 25 MEPs, representing at least a quarter of the Member States (7 Member States tomorrow). This rule, which appears in the rules of procedure of the European Parliament, may be reviewed at any time.
(2) The 73 British MPs, according to the latest pinboard Parliament, are distributed as follows: 22 EFDD, 21 ECR, 20 S&D, 6 Greens and Regionalists (Scots, Wales), 1 ALDE, 1 GUE, 1 EFN, 1 Non-registered
