The politics of advice in the European Parliament: understanding the political role of group advisors

In order to determine how internal advisors contribute to the achievement of political compromises, four types of advice giving were developed to analyse the role of political group advisors in the EP. The extent to which these forms of advice are provided varies per fraction. Counsellors operate largely without explicit input or instructions from MEPs and can shape political compromises, especially at the early stages of decision-making. This analysis uncovers the daily practice of European decision-making, an informal process that largely takes place behind the scenes. The results obtained are relevant for education, public affairs professionals, opinion makers and the wider public debate on European policies and legislation.