Winning the votes - the EP's coalitions

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Interesting article on the EP from votewatch.eu on how which coalitions of parties in the EP are supporting which issues.

Winning coalitions tend to be as follows:

A WINNING CENTRE-RIGHT COALITION

Economics (35 votes): a stable coalition between EPP and ALDE groups dominates votes in this policy area, against the background of a clearer left-right split (compared to EP6). ALDE voted 91% of times together with the EPP, but only 51% of times with S&D. This centre-right coalition (EPP+ALDE) is sometimes joined by the ECR, while the 3 groups on the left (S&D, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL) have found themselves in opposition: on the losing side more than half of the time. Notably, the EPP group has had a perfect record on economics in EP7, winning every single vote.

Industry, research & energy (42 votes): the EPP, ALDE and ECR have been on the winning side over 80% of times in this area, whereas the further any of the other parties are to the left, the more they have been on the losing side.

Development (29 votes): in this area the balance of power has shifted slightly from a centre-left majority in EP6 to a more centre-right in EP7, due to the fact that in the current term ALDE has formed coalitions somewhat more with groups on the right (EPP, ECR, EFD). Remarkably, in this policy area the two largest groups (EPP and S&D) have voted together only 37% of the time, which makes development one of the most disputed areas of left-right politics in the Parliament.

International trade (21 votes): ALDE has a perfect record, having won all 21 votes in this policy area, forming a centre-right majority in most of these votes (ALDE+EPP+ECR).

A WINNING CENTRE-LEFT COALITION

Budget (71 votes): an S&D+ALDE coalition, usually joined by Greens/EFA, has become more frequent than in EP6: with S&D+ALDE opposed EPP in EP6 only 10% of the time, while this share has increased to 17% during this current parliament. EPP look to have reacted to this new balance of power by increasing their internal discipline on budgetary issues: up from 88% in EP6 to 98% in EP7. Also, the internal cohesion of all three groups, S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA has increased several percentage points in EP7, which has made them stronger.

Civil liberties (88 votes): this area shows a clear left-right split, with stable centre-left majority (ALDE+S&D+Greens/EFA+GUE/NGL). ALDE and all groups to its left have won significantly more votes than the groups to the right of ALDE. Notably, GUE/NGL, which is on the radical left and only sixth largest in the EP, has won more votes on these issues than the EPP.

Environment (102 votes): a clear left-right voting pattern has emerged in EP7, with the balance of power tilting to the left. ALDE has won the greatest number of votes, followed closely by S&D and then ECR. The largest group, EPP, holds only the fourth best winning record in this policy area, due to the fact that ALDE has voted significantly more with the groups to its left (ALDE only voted with EPP in this area 59% of the time).

Gender equality (37 votes): a clear centre-left coalition continues to dominate in EP7, as in EP6, with ALDE winning 97% of votes, while the groups to its left (S&D, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL) having the same record of won votes so far, 86%, thus placing the EPP, ECR and EFD groups in minority.

A WINNING CENTRIST (GRAND) COALITION

Agriculture (45 votes): EPP and S&D have voted together 81% of the time and most of the times they are were joined by ECR. The EPP-S&D coalition is opposed for the most part by the Greens, who have voted against this coalition almost 50% of the time.

Fisheries (32 votes): the votes have been decided most of the time by a ‘grand coalition’ between the two largest groups (EPP+S&D). This coalition was joined in 75% of votes by the ALDE group, while the rest of groups have been in the opposition most of the times.

Constitutional and inter-institutional affairs (30 votes): this area sees a clear split along what can be interpreted as a pro-European ‘governing parties’ majority against more critical ‘small parties’ coalition. A ‘grand coalition’ made up of the three main groups in the centre (EPP+ALDE+S&D) is frequently opposed by the other groups. Concretely, a coalition of EPP+S&D is only 6% of times opposed by the ALDE group, while the rest of the groups vote against this coalition more than half of the time: Greens/EFA 40%, ECR 50%, EFD 56%, and GUE/NGL 66%.

Foreign and security policy (125 votes): a ‘grand coalition’ (EPP+ALDE+S&D) has become more prominent than in the previous legislature, with EPP holding the best winning record (92% of votes). The four smaller groups (ECR, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL, EFD) have found themselves in a minority about 50% of the time.

Internal market (17 votes): ALDE emerges as the most frequent winner (94% of votes), usually supported by both S&D and EPP. The three groups at the centre (EPP, ALDE, S&D) are sometimes joined in their coalition by the ECR, whereas the Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and EFD groups are in a minority most of the time.

Budgetary control (which refers to the votes on budget discharge of the EU institutions, 55 votes): in this policy area, one sees the radicalization of the GUE/NGL and ECR groups, who have voted against the majority 75% and 82% of times, respectively.

Note: MEPs from the RoI are part of the EPP (Christian Democrats - FG), S&D (Socialists - Labour), ALDE (Liberals - FF + Marian Harkin), Greens/EFA (Greens - No current RoI MEP), GUE/NGL (Communists etc - Socialist Party (i.e. Joe Higgins), also 1 NI SF), ECR (Tories and allies - No RoI MEP, includes 1 NI Unionist), EFD (Eurosceptics - No RoI MEP), NI (Independents - No RoI MEP, 1 NI Unionist).