What future for the ALDE group: the internal divisions and the potential transformations of the kingmaker of the EP

Because of its central position within the political spectrum, ALDE/ADLE was currently the main kingmaker in the European Parliament during the period 2014-2019. The positions adopted by this political group were often decisive in swinging the outcome of votes, when the two largest groups (EPP and S&D) were in disagreement.

This is the reason why stakeholders that aim at shaping EU legislation sought to get ALDE on their side. However, lobbying the members of this political group was not an easy task, because of its high level of political fragmentation, as well as the internal ideological differences.

Furthermore, the 2019 EU elections might dramatically change ALDE and the EP dynamics as a whole. Within ALDE in particular, the parties to the right of the group seemed to be on a rising trajectory, seemingly forecasting a shift of this group to the economic right in the following years.

VoteWatch Europe conducted an 'X-ray' of ALDE that showed the differences between its national delegations and provided insights into the future of this group in the run up to (and after) the next EU elections in 2019.