ABSTRACT
The development of anti-EU sentiments is one of the most important features of the integration process over the past few decades. There is one place where Euroscepticism has been present from the start: the European Parliament (EP). Since the beginning of the European Economic Community (EEC) but especially since the first European elections in 1979, the EP has served as an early forum of expression for dissenting voices. This chapter focuses on Eurosceptic MEPs in order to examine their strategies inside the chamber. The aim is twofold. First, after a brief overview of the literature, it examines to what extent the behaviour of Eurosceptics differs or not from the behaviour of non-Eurosceptic MEPs. Second, through an analysis of the parliamentary activities and attitudes of Eurosceptic MEPs from the mainstream as well as from the margins between 2004 and 2014, the chapter analyses the variety of strategies such MEPs develop in the Parliament.
