The European Parliament and its Coalitions
Objective: This worksheet aims to educate students about the European Parliament, its historical development, structure, functions, and the role of political groupings within it.
Content and methods: The worksheet provides informative texts on the European Parliament and a political alliance within it. It uses a QR code to link to a YouTube video for additional learning and encourages note-taking and discussion. Comprehension is assessed through multiple-choice questions. Additionally, it includes a fill-in-the-blanks exercise and a diagram analysis to reinforce understanding of the European Parliament's structure and the composition of political factions, prompting students to consider both difficulties and opportunities arising from such coalitions.
Competencies:
- Reading comprehension
- Analysis of political structures and functions
- Understanding of democratic processes
- Critical thinking and evaluation
- Information synthesis and application
Target group: 8th-10th grade
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Target group and level
8th-10th grade
Subjects
The European Parliament and its Coalitions
The European Parliament
The European Parliament is the heart of democracy in the European Union. Its history began in 1952 when the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was established. Originally an advisory body, the Parliament evolved into a powerful institution through several EU treaties. Since 1979, it has been directly elected by EU citizens every five years, making it the world’s only directly elected supranational institution.
The Parliament is headquartered in Strasbourg, while important committee meetings and additional plenary sessions take place in Brussels. Parts of the administration are located in Luxembourg. This geographical distribution reflects the historical development and compromises among the member states.
The structure of the Parliament is unique, as it is organized not by national, but by political groupings. Members of Parliament (MEPs) form factions based on shared ideological orientations. Currently, there are eight factions, including the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), and Renew Europe. These factions consist of members from various national parties that pursue similar political goals.
The European Parliament plays a central role in the EU’s legislative process. It shares legislative power with the Council of the European Union and has a say in the appointment of the European Commission. Through its oversight and budgetary functions, it contributes to the balance of power within the EU.
In recent decades, the Parliament has steadily gained influence. It has evolved from an advisory body to a significant co-decision maker in European politics. MEPs work in committees to review and amend legislative proposals, and they often need to find compromises between different political groups.
The European Parliament is a living example of cross-border cooperation, representing Europe’s diversity and unity. It stands for the democratic values of the EU and fosters dialogue between citizens and the Union’s institutions.
Choose the correct answer for each question.
The Greens/European Free Alliance
The Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) is a vibrant political group in the European Parliament. It brings together green and regionalist political parties from various countries. The group includes the European Green Party, Volt Europa, and the European Pirate Party, among others.
The Greens/EFA was established after the 1999 European elections. Since its formation, it has mainly included progressive parties that share a vision of a sustainable and fair Europe. The group continues to grow, welcoming new members like Volt Europa in 2019.
The main goals of the Greens/EFA are to protect the environment, fight climate change, and promote social justice. They believe in creating a future where everyone can live in a healthy and green world. They also stand for human rights, democracy, and regional diversity.
In the European Parliament, the Greens/EFA plays a significant role. They work hard to influence decisions and make sure environmental and social issues are addressed. They often collaborate with other political groups but also stand firm on their unique goals.
Other political groups in the European Parliament include the European People's Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the Renew Europe group. While each group has its own ideas and goals, they sometimes find common ground to work together on important issues.
The Greens/EFA is dedicated to building a better future for all Europeans. They focus on making positive changes that will benefit not just the current generation, but also generations to come. For young people, the Greens/EFA offers a hopeful vision of a greener, fairer Europe.
Fill in the blanks with the help of the text above.
Composition of factions in the European Parliament
Take a look at the following diagram, which shows the parties that make up the faction. Then answer the questions.