The article presents the problem of the functioning of factions within the European Parliament and the formation of coalitions between individual political groups basing on the Rules of Procedure and data from the seventh term of the EP. The article involves an analysis of the principles for forming factions as specified in the Rules of Procedure of the EP and the consequences for the cooperation of national parties in the Parliament arising from these regulations. In the second part of the article, matters concerning coalition formation between political groups within the EP are discussed together with the phenomenon of ‘grand coalitions’, related definitional problems and the functioning of the entire political system of the EU in this context.

Gustav Stresemann and DVP on the idea of great coalition (1920–1929)

The article covers the DVP arguments over the idea of great coalition. Gustav Stresemann, party chairman, was a proponent of that idea, and he pushed towards the formation of a coalition binding SPD, DVP and Center in 1923 and 1928. However, cooperation with SPD caused friction with the right wing of DVP, which had links with heavy industry.