ABSTRACT
This chapter explores representation in the legislative process and policies adopted by the European parliament. It discusses the process of fast-track bicameral European union decision making. It also analyzes how decision making in the European parliament affects the receptiveness and responsiveness of members of the European parliament (MEPs) to the will of their constituents. Committee reports drafted by members of the largest party groups may be more successful on the floor, as Yordanova demonstrated to be the case with the EPP-ED's reports. People can expect a positive effect of the dummy variables for membership in the European people's party (EPP), the socialist group (PSE) and, potentially, the liberals alliance of European liberals and democrats for Europe party (ALDE), although the latter group is much smaller. A negative effect is expected for membership in the Green group (GREENS), the independent democrats (IND/DEM), which ceased to exist after the European elections in 2009.
