Strength in numbers? An evaluation of the 2004-2009 European Parliament

This Issue Paper by Sara Hagemann analyses the 2004-2009 European Parliament’s performance and assesses the impact the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargements have had on the way it operates. It concludes that the influx of new MEPs has not hampered its legislative efficiency and that party political cohesion has been remarkably strong, but highlights growing concerns about the way it takes decisions, which need to be addressed.

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