In December 2011, 18 new MEPS joined the European Parliament, when changes to a protocol in the Lisbon treaty came into force.
Twelve countries are to gain one or more representatives – Spain: 4; Austria, France, and Sweden: 2; Bulgaria, Italy, Malta, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, and the UK: 1
The political affiliation of the new MEPs is 8 new members to the European People Party, 5 new members to the Socialist & Democrats Group, 2 new Members to the Green/EFA Alliance, 1 member to the European Conservative and Reformist Group, and 2 non-attached members.
Austria Josef Weidenholzer S&D, Ewald Stadler non-attached
Bulgaria Svetoslav Malinov EPP
France Jean Roatta EPP, Yves Cochet Green
Italy Gino Trematerra EPP
Latvia Karlis Sadurskis EPP
Malta Joseph Cuschieri S&D
Netherlands Patricia van der Kammen non-attached
Poland Arkadiusz Bratkowski EPP
Slovenia Zofija Mazej-Kukovic EPP
Spain Vicente Garcés Ramón S&D, Dolores García-Hierro Caraballo S&D,
Eva Ortiz Virella EPP, Salvador Sedó i Alabart EPP
Sweden Amelia Andersdotter Greens/EFA Jens Nilsson S&D
UK Anthea McIntyre ECR
The only country to have fewer MEPs in the new Lisbon allocation of seats is Germany. According to the Nice Treaty, Germany had 99 members and, according to the new thresholds defined in the Lisbon Treaty, 96.