Main political groups in European Parliament (1979 – 2024)

By their ideology and effective power, from left to right:

1. Communists/GUE/The Left:
   Ideology: Far-left, anti-capitalist, eco-socialist
   Power: Limited; typically holds 5-10% of seats, influential in specific policy areas
2. Socialist/PSE/S&D:
   Ideology: Center-left, social democracy, progressive
   Power: Strong; usually second-largest group, key player in coalition-building
3. The Greens/ecologists:
   Ideology: Environmentalism, social justice, pro-EU reform
   Power: Growing; significant influence on environmental and social policies
4. ARC (Rainbow Group):
   Ideology: Diverse; regionalist, autonomist, and ethnic minority parties
   Power: Limited; existed periodically, now mostly absorbed into Greens/EFA
5. PPE/EPP:
   Ideology: Center-right, Christian democracy, conservative
   Power: Dominant; consistently largest group, major influence on EU policy
6. Liberal-democrats (ALDE/Renew):
   Ideology: Centrist, liberal, pro-EU integration
   Power: Moderate but crucial; often kingmakers in Parliament decisions
7. Conservatives (ED, DEP/RDE, ECR):
   Ideology: Right-wing, economic liberalism, Eurosceptic
   Power: Significant; third-largest group in recent years, growing influence
8. Nationalists (EDN, UEN + ECR + ID):
   Ideology: Right to far-right, Eurosceptic, anti-immigration
   Power: Growing; increasing seat share, but limited policy influence due to isolation
9. Radicals (EFD/EFDD):
   Ideology: Right-wing populist, hard Eurosceptic
   Power: Limited; existed until 2019, members mostly absorbed into ID or ECR. They become „The Patriots” group in 2024 elections.
10. Sovereigntist (ESN):
    Ideology: Nationalist, anti-federalist, pro-national sovereignty
    Power: Very limited; short-lived group (1994-1996), ideas now part of other Eurosceptic groups. In 2024 a renewed group Europe of Sovereign Nations get 3.5 percent in EU elections and become the far-right presence in Parliament. The group is still heterogenous and include neo-fascists, filo-russsians, and anti-unionist parties.

This overview provides a snapshot of the ideological spectrum and relative power dynamics in the European Parliament.