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WHO SITS IN THE PARLIAMENT?

The outgoing assembly had 785 members, elected in each of the 27 EU nations. The next one will have 736 until 2010 when it will have 754 members if an EU reform treaty is approved by all governments. Only Ireland must yet say ''yes.'' Assembly members represent a party, not a country.

WHAT PARTIES ARE IN THE PARLIAMENT?

In the last EU assembly, members sat in seven multinational political families. The two largest -Conservatives (formally known as the European Peoples'' Party and their allies the European Democrats) and Socialists -had 288 and 217 seats respectively, or two-thirds of all seats. That dominance will likely continue.

AND THE OTHERS ARE?

The Liberals (100 in outgoing assembly), the Union for a Europe of Nations(44), the Greens/European Free Alliance (43), the European United Left/Nordic Green (41), the Independence/Democracy group (22) and nonattached members(30).

WHAT DO GROUPS STAND FOR?

The 605 outgoing Socialists, Liberals and Conservatives (the latter are mostly Christian Democrats from the continent) favored more European integration. The others have narrower interests and tend to be EU-critical:

- The Union for a Europe of Nations groups nationalists (such as Italy''s Lega Nord, Poland''s Law and Justice, Ireland''s Fianna Fail and Latvia''s For Fatherland and Freedom parties).
- In the last assembly, the Greens sat with the European Free Alliance which had representatives from Scotland, Wales, Basque Country, Romania and Latvia who favor the cause of regions.
- The European United Left/Nordic Green are far lefties and ex Communists.
- The Independence/Democracy group comprises "EU-critics, euroskeptics and eurorealists" opposing "all forms of centralization." It includes the United Kingdom Independence Party which wants Britain to quit the EU.
- Nonattached members shun joining a formal political faction.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ELECTIONS?

Conservative, Socialist and Liberal candidates will likely remain dominant. All eyes are on Socialists to see if they can become the largest group. They will be that if Europeans vote for more regulation, more oversight after the collapse of financial markets and the ensuing recession.

Fringe groups will negotiate the formation of rival groups based on the outcome of the June 4-7 vote.

WILL FAR-RIGHT, OTHER ANTI-EU FORCES AFFECT EU POLICY MAKING?

Only if they acquire lots more support than they have until now. With mainstream Conservatives, Liberals and Socialists likely to remain dominant, the EU assembly will remain a forum of consensus politics that tolerates extremists views but embraces none of their ideas.