Only connect – the network of European political families

The political groups in the European Parliament, which help shape EU-wide legislation, are a vaguely familiar concept to citizens. But they are merely a cog in the much less understood and multi-layered network of political actors that connect Brussels to national capitals and beyond.

So what are the European political parties, the think-tanks and other structures that are affiliated to them, and how do they function?

European Political Parties and Foundations: The 'tissue' that connects?

To the average European citizen, the political groups in the European Parliament, which help shape EU-wide legislation, are a vaguely familiar concept. But there is much less knowledge of the European political parties (as opposed to groups) and the think-tanks …

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