EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: PRO-PRODI MEPS JOIN ELDR.

Euro-MPs are still manoeuvring in the European Parliament over possible coalitions in the run-up to the inaugural session of the new mandate, on July 19/23. The balance of power looks like reverting back to the Socialist (PES) and Christian-Democrat (EPP) groups, on the one hand, and the alternative groups, on the other. But there are still too many unknown factors to be certain of the final outcome of the talks, and the question of the European Parliament's Presidency still has to be settled.

The week has been significant for two events. The entry in the liberal group (ELDR) of six of the seven supporters of Romano Prodi - although the latter preferred to stick with the EPP - welcomed by the President of the ELDR group, Pat Cox. Some observers stresses the risk for the Liberals of embodying the European Commission President's party. The other highlight of the week concerns the EPP with the designation of Hans-Gert Poettering to head the German CDU/CSU delegation and presumed candidate to lead the European Parliament. Elmar Brok, in the end refrained from standing. The decision on the candidate for the Presidency is to be taken by the EPP by July 13 at the latest.

It is against this background that the debate unsettling the 36 Tory MEPs is unfolding. John Marples, the Conservative Party's shadow Foreign Secretary, is said to have struck a deal to keep the British Conservative MEPs within the EPP. But the head of the Conservative Party, William Hague, denies this. Tom Spencer, the outgoing MEP , says that three-quarters of the Tory MEPs want to continue with the EPP. As for the French contingent, suspense...