The outcome of the European Parliament elections made majorities uncertain. The first sessions in July ended with a comprehensive deal by the three main party groups concerning important posts.

The leading scholar Simon Hix assesses the likely political constellations in the 2009-14 European Parliament by linking existing research to the current political composition of the EP and asks whether there will be a return of the "grand coalition".

The analysis is part of the research project Representation, delegation and democracy.

 What to Expect in the 2009-14 European Parliament: Return of the Grand Coalition? (2009:8epa) (155.28 kB)