Expertise, Experience, and Impact: The Importance of MEP Background on Policy Positions

As a committee-driven legislature, the European Parliament affords a great deal of influence to the individual members that are tasked with key positions on committee work. Because of this, whether one analyses the effectiveness of legislative rapporteurs, shadow rapporteurs, or group coordinators, the fingerprints of individual legislators are readily visible on the EP’s final legislative outcomes. And though scholarship has consistently identified that one’s expertise or professional experience is valuable for obtaining such key positions, does increased individual suitability for obtaining committee leadership roles lead to increased impact on which policy positions are adopted? We use novel data on the professional experience, educational expertise, and substantive ties to external group stakeholders to assess the extent that individual MEP backgrounds influence the course of legislation from five key EP committees. Using new insights on group-level positions from the DEUIV data, we trace whether those MEPs who are best individually suited for an internal leadership role are also the most effective at influencing policy outcomes in that area. In so doing, we illustrate the extent to which individual expertise and experience can bolster legislative impact through the EU’s committee system. Our findings highlight the importance of individual legislator backgrounds when it comes to party and party group leaders’ selection of internal leadership on EP committees.