 Until then, its MEPs continued as members of the now-dissolved ED subgroup within the broader EPP-ED group.Since its launch, it was unclear as to whether the MER would remain a simple pan-European alliance or apply for official recognition as a "political party at European level" (sometimes called a "Europarty").The body's founding statement expressly offered membership to parties from non-EU member states, a characteristic of other Europarties, and its commitment to fight the 2009 election together suggested an appetite for recognition.