The European Parliament

Question 1

Tasks and Composition of EP

Answer 1

Task:
- exercise legislative and budgetary functions (jointly with Council), political control and consultations, election of President of the Commission

Composition:

• elected representatives from the MS
• max. 751 MEPs
• min. 6, max. 96 MEPs per MS
• Spain and Netherlands gained the most seats after UK left

Question 2

Electoral process of EP

Answer 2

• direct elections every 5 years
• last election in 2019
• election results may not be published while elections are ongoing in other MS
• mandate of an MEP starts with first convening of EP after elections (usually 1 month after)

Question 3

Restrictions following a mandate of an MEP

Answer 3

• MEP cannot be member of an EU institution, national government/parliament
• MS might impose additional rules
• MEPs should exercise their mandate independently and not be bound by instructions

Question 4

Political groups in the EP

Answer 4

• MEPs organise themselves in political groups
• President of EP usually proposed by largest political group
• > very important and influential

Question 5

Location of the EP

Answer 5

• Strassbourg (plenary sessions)
• Brussels (additional plenary sessions, committees of EP)
• Luxembourg (Gen. Sec. of EP and its departments)

Question 6

Working procedures of EP

Answer 6

• Plenary sessions
• Committee meetings:
• > Standing Committees
• > Temporary Committees (ad hoc committees on specific issues)
• > Committee of Inquiry

Question 7

Working in Committees

Answer 7

• most decisions are prepared in Committees
• distribution of Committee Chairs: largest political groups have more chairs
• MEPs usually vote in line with their political groups
• if text is approved -> plenary session

Question 8

Rapporteur

Answer 8

• Rapporteur will draft a committee report which will be discussed in the EP Committee
• represents the EP in discussions with the Council and Commission (with the committee Chair)
• Shadow Rapporteur: designated by the political groups, finding compromises with Committee

Question 9

Plenary session

Answer 9

• Procedure in plenary without amendment and debate (less than 10% of Committee opposed)
• With amendment and debate (usual)
• Extraordinary debate
• Urgent procedure

Question 10

Voting in plenary session

Answer 10

• voting: 1/3 of members required for Quorum (vote however also valid if Quorum not present)
• show by hands, electronic, roll call (alphabetical order)

Question 11

Assisting the MEPs

Answer 11

• each MEP: personal staff
• each political group: secretariat and staff
• EP: Secretary General

Question 12

Language of MEP

Answer 12

Biggest mistake is to assume that an MEP speaks English/French/’your language’

• > do not underestimate the importance of national languages
• > consultancy services can be consulted, allowing the ‘interpreter’ to ‘engage’ in a personal connection with MEP is kind of a prerequisite

Question 13

Delegations

Answer 13

• each MEP is usually also a member of a delegation
• maintain relations with parliaments in non-EU countries
• help to represent EU externally and promote its values

Question 14

Intergroups

Answer 14

• can be formed by MEPs from any political group/Committee
• have informal information exchanges of MEPs and civil society
• no Parliament body!
• > relevant component of MEP/Parliament
• > good to build network, good for your interests