The political accountability of Frontex: Explaining extent, focus, and content of parliamentary scrutiny

The European Parliament (EP) plays a critical role in holding EU agencies accountable, with Frontex, the EU’s Border and Coast Guard Agency, being one of the most scrutinized. This paper investigates the political and institutional dynamics within the EP that shape the extent, focus, and content of its scrutiny over Frontex. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, including the analysis of parliamentary questions, budgetary discharge documents, and semi-structured interviews with MEPs and EP staff, the study identifies three key factors determining the EP’s oversight of Frontex: (1) an institutional government-opposition dynamic, (2) a substantial TAN-GAL cleavage, and (3) a procedural logic of agenda inclusion based on available political majorities. Findings indicate that scrutiny is more extensive on the political fringes, with TAN parties focusing on security issues and the effectiveness of Frontex, while GAL parties prioritize the protection of fundamental rights. The final content of the EP’s official scrutiny outcomes, however, reflects an ‘additive logic’, where ideological divides in the political centre are bridged, but contributions from the fringes are excluded. Furthermore, the paper analyses how the new majorities of the 10th EP and recent procedural changes have influenced parliamentary oversight of Frontex. Hence, by examining Frontex as a case study, this paper contributes to understanding the interplay between EP-internal political dynamics, ideational divides, and institutional rules in the political accountability of EU agencies.