With the EU elections only 3 weeks away, one of the biggest challenges ahead for public affairs professionals is the new make-up of the European Parliament: can work on legislative files and relationship with current parliamentarians easily be resumed after the summer recess, or will a new engagement strategy have to be found?
As part of DeHavilland EU’s series of briefings on the European Parliament elections and the renewal of the College of the European Commission, DeHavilland EU has taken a closer look at the likely MEPs re-election rate by Member State and the likely impact on British interests in Brussels.
Over 70% of MEPs set to be re-elected
From 22 to 25 May, over 300 million EU citizens will be able to elect their 751 Members of the European Parliament. DeHavilland EU data reveals that some 70% of the current crop of MEPs are standing for re-election, ranging from European Parliament President Martin Schulz – vying for the EU’s top job, President of the European Commission – to rank-and-file Members involved in drafting legislation on a raft of issues, from biofuels to trademarks to data protection.
Largest turnover expected in Spain
The rate of candidacies among current MEPs varies wildly from country to country. At the time of writing, Greece is set to see at least 60% of its current incumbents replaced while that rate is only 10% for Latvia.
Among the EU’s larger countries, Spain will undergo one of the largest turnovers: a cull of current MEPs by the country’s Socialist Party, currently in opposition, means some 20 of the 54 Spanish Members will vacate their seats, compared with only 11 of Poland’s 51 MEPs. In addition, many incumbents face the prospect of defeat at the ballot box, particularly those representing the Liberal Democrats in Britain and the centrist FDP in Germany.
Much of the same with British MEPs…
The fact that three-quarters of current British MEPs are up for re-election should enable many stakeholders to continue to pursue engagement with familiar faces even after the elections. The chances of this relatively high number of Members renewing their mandate will be further boosted by a trend among British political parties to place incumbents at the top of candidate lists: the only UK incumbent not leading their regional list is UKIP MEP Stuart Agnew, who has been dethroned in favour of former Daily Express editor Patrick O’Flynn.
…but keep an eye on Committee membership re-shuffle
With the European Parliament now co-deciding most pieces of EU law and the expected turnover of MEPs, the upcoming European elections therefore have the potential to impact significantly on the regulatory landscape in the EU in many areas. Membership of the influential parliamentary Committees is likely to undergo many changes, and lead draftsmen for important legislative files may need to be replaced.
It should also be a cause of concern for many British public affairs professionals that some of the UK’s most influential voices in Brussels – MEPs Sharon Bowles, Arlene McCarthy, Brian Simpson and Malcolm Harbour – are retiring at the elections. Undoubtedly other talented parliamentarians will take their place, but with EU-UK relations at a frosty low, British businesses and other organisations will need committed and influential politicians who can help them make their voice heard in Brussels.
Foeke Noppert
EU Policy Analyst, DeHavilland EU