What was once a group dominated by centrist Christian Democrats will be pulled rightwards by their membership.

ECONOMIST: The European Parliament

The Tories having moved rightwards "leaves a lot of ground" for the Lib Dems to take over.

BBC: Which way now for Lib Dems?

EPP, traditionally Christian Democrat, has been inched rightwards by French and British conservatives.

ECONOMIST: Nicole Fontaine: a European conciliator-general

On the whole, especially in economic matters, they have been edging steadily rightwards.

ECONOMIST: Finland

The Tory leader was swinging rightwards, in just the same way as his predecessor, William Hague, did, and he wanted only likeminded lieutenants.

ECONOMIST: Conservative leadership

Even before his party reforms, the tendency of Labour governments had been to move rightwards not leftwards under the pressures of the real world.

ECONOMIST: Would Prime Minister Blair be a radical?

Surely Mr Blair's bosom pal in Spain should be Felipe Gonzalez, the Socialists' former leader who modernised his party, shoved his country rightwards, and headed its government for nearly 14 years?

ECONOMIST: Jose Maria Aznar, Spain��s dark horse