MEPs from ten new Member States prepare to take their seats in Brussels and Strasbourg

Date: 08/07/04

Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Estonia

Former foreign affairs minister, ambassador to the US and Canada, chief of Estonian Radio Free Europe, very outspoken and charismatic. Won 76,000 votes (from a country of 1.6 million people), he beat all parties, not to mention candidates, threefold at least. Benefited from a protest vote that went against a populist Eurosceptic government. PES group.

Tatjana Zdanoka, Latvia

The so-called iron lady of the opposition, leader of the Leftist alliance "For Human Rights in a United Latvia" which represents the Russian-speaking minority of Latvia. Has just won a court case complaining about Latvia's election laws which banned her participation in general elections due to her communist past. Promises to work in the interests of six million Russians living in the EU and wants Russian to be an official EU language. Undecided on which Parliamentary group to join.

Vytautas Landsbergis, Lithuania

A hero of the independence struggle. As chief of the Supreme Council (the parliament's forerunner) in 1991 he initiated and signed the Declaration of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania. His political input is by now mostly symbolic, but he is a figure of huge authority in Lithuanian politics. Fatherland Union, EPP-ED.

Wojciech Roszkowski, Poland

An illustrious historian from Collegium Civitas, Warsaw who has written about Polish land reform. Has for many years taught in foreign universities - Georgetown, New England College, University of Virginia. A member of Prawo I Sprawiedliwosc, Law and Justice. UEN.

Zdzislaw Podkanski, Poland

Farmers' leader who campaigned against Poland joining the EU. Former heritage minister who, in 1999 as a speaker of the Polish Peasants' National Assembly, called on the parliament to dissolve itself and the government to resign because of the two bodies' "anti-peasant policy". EPP-ED.

Jerzy Buzek, Poland

Prime minister in 1997-2001. His success in June's European elections - he got the most votes in Poland with 173,000, came as a surprise as he had left the political scene three years ago amid general criticism of the performance of his cabinet. From the Civic Platform, joining EPP-ED.

Jan Zahradil, Czech Republic

A Eurosceptic, he is likely to be outspoken about what is wrong with the EU. Could be called back to Prague if there is an early election, and his party, the Civic Democrats, do well. EPP-ED.

Vladimir Zelezny, Czech Republic

Former director of TV Nova, the biggest private television company in the Czech Republic. Able to get to the senate and now the EP without the support of a major political party. Faces possible imprisonment due to large sums of money that the Czechs paid to the US firm which used to own TV Nova. Being an MEP should keep him out of prison. Not yet with a group in the EP.

Peter Stastny, Slovakia

The big star of the major coalition SDKu party - an ice-hockey player who, just before the EP elections, still managed the Slovak national hockey team at the world championships (which finished fourth). EPP-ED.

Pal Schmitt, Hungary

Olympic gold medallist in fencing. In 2001 he was a candidate for president of the International Olympic Committee. Worked for Hungaro hotel chain in 1965-81; director of the national stadium and of organizations run by the National Hungarian Sports Authority. Hungary's ambassador to Spain and then to Switzerland. EPP-ED.

Gabor Demsky, Hungary

Mayor of Budapest, unsuccessfully attempted to combine his Budapest post with the party (Alliance of Free Democrats) leadership in 2001. Was a member of the opposition during the communist era. Then a student of law in Budapest, he organized an underground movement in opposition to the regime. ELDR.

Borut Pahor, Slovenia

Was a candidate for the presidency of the European Parliament. MP since 1990 in Slovenia's first multi-party elections. In 1997 he was elected president of the post-Communist ZLSD party. Currently the Speaker of his national parliament. PES.

Demetrio Panayotis, Cyprus

A founding member of the Democratic Rally Party. Long an MP, he was a representative in the European Convention and an observer to the European Parliament. Took part in the National Liberation Struggle of EOKA (1955-59). In 1960-64 he worked as a primary school teacher and was the general secretary of the Pancyprian Greek Teachers' Organization. Later a journalist and magazine publisher. Will join the EPP-ED.

Joseph Muscat, Malta

Ex-editor of maltastar.com, a leftist English- language web paper, he has the backing of the Labour party media. The youngest Maltese candidate, he won the most votes. PES.

Short profiles of ten new MEPs from newly joined EU Member States.