Overview

Independence and Democracy was a political group in the European Parliament formed to gather Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who shared broadly Eurosceptic views. Its membership included representatives who sought major reform of the European Union or argued that their countries would be better governed outside the EU. The group gave a formal structure for these national parties and independents to act together inside parliament.

Positions and characteristics

Members of the group commonly emphasized national sovereignty, parliamentary accountability and opposition to EU federalism. Typical positions included:

  • Advocacy for returning powers from EU institutions to national governments or parliaments.
  • Calls for referendums on membership or major EU treaties in some member states.
  • Support for tighter control of borders and greater national control over immigration and fiscal policy.
  • Preference for intergovernmental cooperation over supranational decision-making.

History and development

The grouping evolved from earlier Eurosceptic alliances and at times used different names; sources often refer to a predecessor grouping known as Europe of Democracies and Diversities. Across successive parliamentary terms its size and composition changed as national parties gained or lost seats and as MEPs shifted between groups. At various points it counted several dozen members, drawn from a range of countries and political traditions.

Role and significance

Within the parliament the group functioned to coordinate speeches, propose amendments and sit on committees where possible. While never among the largest factions, it influenced debates on sovereignty, enlargement and treaty change by presenting a common platform for Eurosceptic voices. Its heterogeneous membership sometimes made unified policy positions difficult, but the group nonetheless served as a focal point for MEPs skeptical of deeper EU integration.

Notable features and legacy

  • The group demonstrated how national parties with similar Eurosceptic aims can cooperate at the European level despite different domestic agendas.
  • Parliamentary rules on minimum size and national representation affected the group's stability over time.
  • Elements of its membership later reformed into or joined other Eurosceptic groupings, reflecting the shifting landscape of Eurosceptic politics in the EU.

For more detail on parliamentary group rules and membership across terms, see institutional summaries and official records on the European Parliament website.