Surveys of Members of the European Parliament, 2000 and 2006

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The most significant change in the institutional structure of European governance over the past two decades has been the increased power of the European Parliament (EP). Given the Parliament’s growing influence and the dramatic European Union(EU) enlargement in 2004, it has become increasingly important to monitor the attitudes and behaviour of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from different member states. The European Parliament Research Group (EPRG) conducted two surveys of MEPs in 2000 and 2006. The 2000 survey was conducted in October-December 2000 and surveyed MEPs of the Fifth European Parliament (1999-2004). The 2006 survey was conducted in March-June 2006 and surveyed MEPs of the Sixth European Parliament (2004-09). Further information about the survey can be found on the EPRG MEP Survey web page or the ESRC Award web page.Main Topics:The surveys include the following categories of questions:personal details (member state, date first elected to EP, previous political experience)electoral systems and candidate selectioncampaigning aims and activitiesattitudes/behaviour relating to representationbehaviour in committees and voting in the Parliamentgeneral political attitudesattitudes towards specific EU policiesattitudes towards EU institutional reform