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A New President for the European Parliament
On Tuesday morning, the first act of the 736 newly elected MEPs will be to vote for the new President of the European Parliament (EP) whose term will last two and half years. The declared candidates so far are Jerzy Buzek (EPP, Poland) and Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL, Sweden). Candidates can be nominated by a Political Group or by a minimum of 40 MEPS. Both will address their fellow MEPs before voting begins. To be elected a candidate must win by an absolute majority (i.e. 50 per cent plus one of all 736 MEPs). This part of the Session will be chaired by outgoing President, Hans-Gert Pöttering MEP (EPP). The President chairs the Plenary Sessions of the EP, the Conference of Presidents of the Political Groups and the Bureau of the EP (President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors in an advisory capacity). He represents the EP in its international relations and signs the EU's budget and all EU laws adopted using the codecision procedure. On Tuesday evening, MEPs will vote to elect the 14 Vice-Presidents. These candidates also need an absolute majority to be elected. Vice-Presidents can replace the President in performing his duties when necessary, including chairing Plenary Sessions. They are also members of the Bureau - the body responsible for all administrative, staff and organisational matters of the EP.
From 12.30pm onwards on Wednesday, MEPs will elect the five Quaestors as well as vote on the number of MEPs in each of the EP's Committees. The five Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs themselves.
Presidency of the EU
From 9am to 10am on Wednesday morning, MEPs will comment on the Czech Presidency's report on the recent European Council (18-19 June), together with a declaration by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on the outcome of the Council meeting. The Czech Presidency will also make a presentation of their work (1 January - 30 June 2009) and MEPs will have an opportunity to comment on this. From 10am to 12.30pm on the same day, The MEPs Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will present the programme for the Swedish Presidency (1 July 2009 - 31 December 2009). |
