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Improving Rookies’ Performance: An Assessment of the Romanian MEPs’ Activity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2010

Sergiu Gherghina  and
Doru Frantescu
Sergiu Gherghina*
Affiliation:
University of Leiden, Department of Political Science, Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen, Instituut Politieke Wetenschappen, Pieter de la Court gebouw, Wassenaarseweg 52 (Kamernummer 5A51), 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands. E-mail: gherghinams@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Doru Frantescu
Affiliation:
European Institute for Participatory Democracy Qvorum, and VoteWatch CIC, 13, 2 Fairfield Road, London N8 9HG, UK
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Abstract

General figures indicate stark differences between both cross-country and cross-party groups in MEPs’ activity. Our attempt to explain this variation accounts for five variables (plus age for control): (1) the background of the MEPs, (2) their political experience, (3) belonging to a European party group, (4) the duration of their mandate, and (5) their status (i.e. elected versus appointed). Using statistical techniques and original data, we focus on the representatives coming from the most recent EU member state (i.e. Romania) as activity differences are most likely to occur at their level. Results indicate that, in essence, the socialization with the EP workings (duration of term in office) considerably shapes newcomers’ performance.

Type
Focus: Central and Eastern Europe
Information
European Review , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , May 2010 , pp. 155 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © Academia Europaea 2010

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References

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