Elected from the EU's 27 Member States, MEPs are grouped according to their political alliance and not by nationality. This makes for a different dynamic than what we are used to in national Parliaments where parties form a government and an opposition.

In the European Parliament, voters do not elect a government. They elect MEPs who seek the interests of their constituents when shaping EU law. This is done by influencing MEPs from their own political groups first, and members of other groups later, to achieve as wide a consensus as possible.

Are MEPs from small countries like Malta at a disadvantage?

The arrangement in political groups balances out power between large and small Member States. The effectiveness of MEPs lies not in the 'greatness' of the country they represent, but in their individual ability to influence MEPs within their political group to win support on specific issues.

Between 2004 and 2009, Maltese MEPs have effectively influenced fellow to vote on directives in a way that safeguarded Malta's interest, as was the case on the ports directive and to increase funding for Frontex.

It is in a country's interest to have MEPs in the large and influential political groupings and to have Members in as many political groups as possible.

How are political groups composed?

Each political group is made up of a minimum of 20 elected members from at least six Member States - a fifth of the entire EU. This arrangement will change after the June 2009 elections as each group will have a minimum 25 MEPs representing seven Member States.

There are currently seven political groups in the European Parliament, none of which has an overall majority. Their composition is determined by the outcome of the European Elections.

During a legislature, political groups hold regular meetings during the week, as well as seminars to determine the main principles of their EU work. Several political groupings have founded political parties that operate at European level, such as the European People's Party, the Party of European Socialists, the European Green Party and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party.

In Malta, the parties affiliated with European Parties are the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika. They form part of the European People's Party, the Party of European Socialists and the European Green Party respectively.

Can a political group wind up?

The winding up of a political group can happen even during a legislature if it fails to keep its minimum number of MEPs. In November 2007, the Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty (ITS) group in the European Parliament, which brought together extreme right MEPs, collapsed after Romanian MEPs left following insulting comments made by fellow group member Alessandra Mussolini of Italy.

Where do the five Maltese MEPs sit?

Between 2004 and 2009, which was the first EP legislature with Maltese Members, three MEPs formed part of the Party of European Socialists (PES) while two Maltese MEPs sat in the European People's Party (EPP).

MEPs by country and political group (before June 2009 election)