"Legislation supported by a centre-right majority in the European Parliament has 'almost always' been adopted by member states in the Council of the European Union, a report published today shows. In some cases this happened with the backing of centre-left governments that took different positions to their MEP's, however, when legislation has won the support of a centre-left majority in the EU parliament, it has faced much greater opposition in the council, with member states particularly resistant to such legislation when it concerns policy areas such as the environment, public health, civil liberties and gender equality." (Quoted from article)