A
European political party (formally, a
political party at European level; informally a
Europarty) is a type of
political party organisation operating transnationally in Europe and in the institutions of the
European Union. They are regulated and funded by the European Union and are usually made up of national parties, not individuals. Europarties have the exclusive right to campaign during the
European elections and express themselves within the
European Parliament by their affiliated
political groups and their
MEPs. Europarties, through coordination meetings with their affiliated heads of state and government, influence the decision-making process of the
European Council. Europarties also work closely and co-ordinate with their affiliated members of the
European Commission and, according to the
Lisbon Treaty the Europarty that wins the European elections has the right to nominate to the
European Council its candidate for
President of the European Commission.