The balance sheet of the influence of the states at the European level: Romania – in the Top 5 as a “power agent” in the EP. But it also has top-notch chiulangi

The mandate of the European Parliament, which began with 751 elected representatives from 28 countries, ends after five complicated years with only 705 representatives from 27 member countries.

In calmer times, the UK’s exit from the bloc would have been the main event of this term. However, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen herself has admitted, Brexit has been forgotten due to war, the cost of living crisis, the past global pandemic and, not least, the conflicting Green Deal legislation.

Politico analyzed the work of the European Parliament – ​​voting files, legislative files and documents – to find out who was behind the EU Parliament’s decisions over the past five years. Here’s what he found:

The fourth “agent of power”

The countries of origin of the biggest “agents of power” of the Parliament could surprise. In absolute terms, MEPs from the bloc’s largest countries – Germany, France, Italy, Spain – led negotiations for many of the texts that passed through Parliament.

But, compared to the national size of the group, the parliamentarians from Luxembourg, Finland, Portugal and Romania appear as “power agents” who outweigh the weight of their national groups.

In the case of our country, the average number of texts that Romanian MEPs have “piloted” through Parliament – from the position of rapporteur – is 8.3. The ranking is led by Luxembourg, with an average of 12.

Five of the most active Romanian MEPs who brought Romania to the top of influence

Siegfried Mureșan, Marian Jean Marinescu, Dragoș Pîslaru, Victor Negrescu and Dragoș Tudorache are among the most appreciated and influential Romanian MEPs, as a result of their activities in the European Parliament.

Siegfried Muresan he was the European Parliament’s rapporteur for the EU multiannual budget and led the negotiations for the annual budgets. He was actively involved in important files on Ukraine (financial aid) and the Republic of Moldova (accession preparations).

Marian Jean Marinescu was involved in the drafting of the Green Deal legislation, especially on the transport component. According to EUmatrix.eu – the platform that measures the influence that MEPs exert on EU policies, Marian Jean Marinescu is the second most influential MEP in terms of transport policies.

Dragos Pîslaru he is president of the Labor and Social Affairs Committee of the EP, placed by EUmatrix in 20th place in terms of overall activity. He was rapporteur for the European Semester for Economic Policy Coordination: Social and Labor Priorities for 2024.

Victor Negrescu is a quaestor of the European Parliament. He was rapporteur in 5 EP files and signatory of the proposed resolution regarding the return of Romania’s national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia.

Dragos Tudorache became known globally for his contribution to the EU Artificial Intelligence Law. He was also involved in the files on the Republic of Moldova, being the rapporteur for the implementation of the EU – Republic of Moldova Association Agreement. He is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Delegation for relations with the USA.

Claudiu Manda and Rareș Bogdan, in the top 5 absent from the EP votes. Both are back on the rosters in eligible positions

It is not a merit that all Romanian MEPs can claim. According to the statistics regarding voting attendance, two Romanian MEPs are in the top 10 absent from the EP votes.

In second place – surpassed only by a Greek MEP sentenced to prison in 2021 – is Claudiu Manda (PSD), absent in 43.6% of the votes organized in the European Parliament.

On the 5th place, Rareș Bogdan (PNL) absent with 32.8% of the votes in the EP.

Both are again on the Coalition’s joint list for the June 9 European Parliament elections, both in eligible positions.

Read the full analysis Balance sheet of the influence of the states at the European level: Romania – in the Top 5 as a “power agent” in the EP. But it also has top-notch bells and whistles. The movements that reshaped the parliamentary groups on the Course of Governance