Mrs Fontaine specifies eventual change in rules could allow mixed group advocated by Mrs Bonino to be formed

17/09/1999 (Agence Europe)

In answer to questions on the fight launched by the Italian Radicals further to the dissolution of the Technical Group of Independent Members, Nicole Fontaine noted that, though it is true the Italian and Spanish parliaments authorise technical groups, the European Parliament has its own rules which only provide for the constitution of political groups. "Knowing Mrs Bonino well, I can say she has no political affinity with Mr Le Pen", said the president of the Parliament, noting that Mr Pannella and Mr Dell'Alba have requested that rules be changed. She said "one can perfectly well imagine the constitution of mixed groups being authorised" if the Constitutional Committee, which is also responsible for the regulations, agrees to change the latter along these lines.

In answer to questions on the same subject, Heidi Hautala (Finnish Green member), Joint President of the V/ALE Group, and President of the PSE Group Enrique Baron Crespo, from Spain, both stated that their groups are willing to examine all the proposals of amendments to the regulations which would be likely to resolve the problem raised by the Italian Radicals. See yesterday's EUROPE, p.8, for Mrs Bonino's speech in plenary session in which she passionately explained her ideas in favour of the "technical groups", and EUROPE of 15 September, p.6, for the plenary's vote against as the rules stand at present.