Male Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) over 60 years old have the most political influence over Europe’s trade and foreign affairs policy, suggesting that tenure and age prevail in this policy area more than in any other. The top 100 MEPs for political influence on trade and foreign policy is 65% male dominated, highlighting the tension between the EU’s global role in promoting equality, and decision making that is far from gender-balanced.

Our analysis is based on political and social media data from the one-year period up to August 2021.

Explore for more data insights.

MEP Name Political ScoreSocial ScoreOverall ScoreRising Stars
Bernd LANGE
S&D, @berndlange

Germany

10097.098.5^10
Nathalie LOISEAU
Renew Europe, @NathalieLoiseau

France

8798.392.6^42
David McALLISTER
EPP, @davidmcallister

Germany

9092.290.9^100
Kathleen VAN BREMPT
S&D, @kvanbrempt

Belgium

8094.987.6^24
Hilde VAUTMANS
Renew Europe, @hildevautmans

Belgium

7895.086.4
Raphaël GLUCKSMANN
S&D, @rglucks1

France

7298.785.1^19
Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS
Renew Europe, @petras_petras

Lithuania

8089.184.5
Reinhard BÜTIKOFER
Greens/EFA, @bueti

Germany

6699.982.8
Michael GAHLER
EPP, @michaelgahler

Germany

8267.675.0^164
Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO
S&D, @RodriguezPinero

Spain

4895.571.6
Christophe HANSEN
EPP, @CHansenEU

Luxembourg

7757.767.3
Tonino PICULA
S&D, @TPicula

Croatia

8746.166.8
Manfred WEBER
EPP, @ManfredWeber

Germany

3397.365.2
Engin EROGLU
Renew Europe, @EnginEroglu_FW

Germany

2397.359.9^216
Anna CAVAZZINI
Greens/EFA, @anna_cavazzini

Germany

1896.557.5^52
Mick WALLACE
The Left, @wallacemick

Ireland

1797.057.1
Michael BLOSS
Greens/EFA, @michabl

Germany

1395.954.2^159
Sven MIKSER
S&D, @svenmikser

Estonia

7725.651.5^228

German MEPs dominate in this year’s Index for trade and foreign affairs with Bernd Lange (S&D) coming in first for political influence and Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA) taking the first place for social influence.

Only three female MEPs – Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe), Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D) and Hilde Vautmans (Renew Europe) – rank in the top ten for political influence. Similarly, the top ten ranking for social influence only includes three female MEPs – Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe), Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA) and Inma Rodríguez-Piñero (S&D).

INFLUENCE BY COUNTRY

For political influence, MEPs from Spain rank first followed by Poland and Romania. MEPs from Central and Eastern Europe perform strongly in this policy area, reflecting the heightened interest of member states such as Poland and the Baltic countries in the EU’s foreign policy.

INFLUENCE BY POLITICAL GROUP

The European People’s Party (EPP) takes the lead for political influence but underperform on social media. The Greens/EFA, on the other hand, lead for social influence despite having a low political influence share. Renew Europe MEPs prove to be more well-rounded, performing well on both political and social influence and coming in first for overall influence.

INFLUENCE BY AGE AND GENDER

Male MEPs over 60 take the lead for political influence, highlighting how and tenure are strong determinants of influence in this policy area. Young MEPs under 39, despite having low political influence, compensate with high levels of social influence.
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