Politics and Positions in the European Parliament

Abstract

This panel explores how political positions are formed, expressed, and contested within the European Parliament, highlighting the interplay between institutional structures, party strategies, and individual agency. It asks: What shapes the alignment between electoral commitments and legislative behaviour, and how do actors navigate competing priorities in a multilevel political system? The discussion considers variations in the policy space across parliamentary arenas, the influence of ideological framing on issue debates, and the role of expertise and experience in shaping legislative outcomes. It also examines strategic ambiguity and the consistency of political group positions over time. By integrating perspectives on party competition, institutional dynamics, and individual behaviour, the panel offers a comprehensive view of the consistency of policy positions, and how representation and policymaking evolve in the EU’s complex legislative environment.

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