The 1994 elections to the European parliament

This analysis of the 1994 Euro-elections is written by authorities with an understanding both of the background to the European Union and of current events.

The contributors are also aware of why the 1994 Euro-elections are the first of a new style of election: they are the first to be conducted in the European Union and after the European Parliament has enjoyed an appreciable change in its legislative powers, following the introduction of the cooperation procedure under the Single Act and the co-decision procedure under the Maastricht Treaty; they are the first to be conducted in a European Union preoccupied with the classic questions of political discourse - they form part of a continuing dialogue as to how best to realize and reconcile democratic practices and open government with efficient and effective decision-making.They are also the first to be conducted in a European Union embarking on institutional reforms (possibly modelled on the new European constitution of the EP) which could cut member states' seats in the EP and the Commission in a way which might significantly alter the balance of power between the big and small states; they are the first to be conducted in the shadow of an impending IGC on enlargement to Scandinavia and subsequently Central Europe; they are the first to be conducted in the "Single Market"; they are the first in which the British Conservative Party will be part of the big centre block of Europe - the European People's Party.