Here are the 18 elected Swedish members of the European Parliament, as presented by the EU Information Centre (EU-upplysningen):
Socialdemokraterna
PES 5
Marita Ulvskog
Olle Ludvigsson
Åsa Westlund
Göran Färm
Anna Hedh
Moderaterna
EPP 4
Gunnar Hökmark
Anna Maria Corazza Bildt
Christofer Fjellner
Anna Ibrisagic
Folkpartiet
ALDE 3
Marit Paulsen
Olle Schmidt
Cecilia Wikström
Miljöpartiet
Greens 2
Carl Schlyter
Isabella Lövin
Centerpartiet
ALDE 1
Lena Ek
Kristdemokraterna
EPP 1
Alf Svensson
Vänsterpartiet
GUE/NGL 1
Eva-Britt Svensson
Piratpartiet
(Greens or ALDE?) 1
Christian Engström
Totalt 18
Gender balance: Ten women and eight men.
Ralf Grahn
Showing posts with label MEPs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MEPs. Show all posts
Thursday, 11 June 2009
European Parliament: Two mainstream majorities
The overall results of the European Parliament election results shifted only marginally yesterday, with the recount awarding one MEP to the Greens at the expense of the PES (provisional results 10 June 2009 12:20 CEST).
The European Citizen has written a thoughtful post on the power balance and prospects in: The Battle for the Commission Presidency (10 June 2009).
The results of the vote counting are probably almost final, so the potential changes will have to do more with how the political groups are formed.
Beyond the question of the vote for the Commission President and the various internal EP posts, the European Parliament needs a majority of its constituent members to amend legislative proposals: 369 out of 736 MEPs.
Let us assume that the mainstream groups prefer to work with each other, instead of courting the fringe groups (which have yet to materialise). In that case there would be one constant and two possible variations (with the numbers we have today).
Indispensable EPP
In each case, there is no going around the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group with 264 representatives.
Grand coalition
The traditional “grand alliance” would add the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (PES), which is second largest with 161 members of the EP.
This alternative reflects the current coalition government in Germany, but there it seems to be in its dying days. It is also possible that the socialists, social democrats and Labour movements at European level feel the need to rebuild their political message, without being tainted by daily compromises.
Non-socialist coalition
It looks probable that the German voters will offer the Christian Democrats and the Liberals a mandate at the next election. In German terms this would be a black-yellow coalition, but in the EP blue-yellow (incidentally like the Swedish Council Presidency).
The problem is that in the European Parliament a coalition of the EPP and the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) would fall short of the needed majority (by 25 votes at the present time; as it happens, the exact number of the emigrating UK Conservatives).
The Greens made a strong showing in the European elections, so it would be an acknowledgement of the vote to include them in a coalition. With the Greens on board, an EPP-ALDE-Green coalition would represent 397 votes, which attains the needed majority.
But the Greens have campaigned with a view to build a coalition with the PES. They have resisted the appointment of Barroso. A shift in alliances might not go down well with their MEPs or voters, despite the obvious advantages.
Jokers in the pack?
The decisive issue will be, where the EPP finds its future partners. For them the ideal would be to entice into their group a sufficient number from the ranks of nationalists and others, MEPs who at the present time are labelled as Others, UEN or IND/DEM. The second option might be a permanent understanding without group membership.
Here the EPP competes with the nationalist ‘European Conservatives’, who have already bagged 49 MEPs and are looking for representatives from at least four additional member states to be able to form a group.
Neither the EPP nor the ‘European Conservatives’ can contemplate recruiting the most xenophobic and fascistoid elements among the remaining 97 MEPs, so the remaining options are fairly slim for both of them.
We are still waiting for the fat lady to sing.
Ralf Grahn
The European Citizen has written a thoughtful post on the power balance and prospects in: The Battle for the Commission Presidency (10 June 2009).
The results of the vote counting are probably almost final, so the potential changes will have to do more with how the political groups are formed.
Beyond the question of the vote for the Commission President and the various internal EP posts, the European Parliament needs a majority of its constituent members to amend legislative proposals: 369 out of 736 MEPs.
Let us assume that the mainstream groups prefer to work with each other, instead of courting the fringe groups (which have yet to materialise). In that case there would be one constant and two possible variations (with the numbers we have today).
Indispensable EPP
In each case, there is no going around the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group with 264 representatives.
Grand coalition
The traditional “grand alliance” would add the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (PES), which is second largest with 161 members of the EP.
This alternative reflects the current coalition government in Germany, but there it seems to be in its dying days. It is also possible that the socialists, social democrats and Labour movements at European level feel the need to rebuild their political message, without being tainted by daily compromises.
Non-socialist coalition
It looks probable that the German voters will offer the Christian Democrats and the Liberals a mandate at the next election. In German terms this would be a black-yellow coalition, but in the EP blue-yellow (incidentally like the Swedish Council Presidency).
The problem is that in the European Parliament a coalition of the EPP and the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) would fall short of the needed majority (by 25 votes at the present time; as it happens, the exact number of the emigrating UK Conservatives).
The Greens made a strong showing in the European elections, so it would be an acknowledgement of the vote to include them in a coalition. With the Greens on board, an EPP-ALDE-Green coalition would represent 397 votes, which attains the needed majority.
But the Greens have campaigned with a view to build a coalition with the PES. They have resisted the appointment of Barroso. A shift in alliances might not go down well with their MEPs or voters, despite the obvious advantages.
Jokers in the pack?
The decisive issue will be, where the EPP finds its future partners. For them the ideal would be to entice into their group a sufficient number from the ranks of nationalists and others, MEPs who at the present time are labelled as Others, UEN or IND/DEM. The second option might be a permanent understanding without group membership.
Here the EPP competes with the nationalist ‘European Conservatives’, who have already bagged 49 MEPs and are looking for representatives from at least four additional member states to be able to form a group.
Neither the EPP nor the ‘European Conservatives’ can contemplate recruiting the most xenophobic and fascistoid elements among the remaining 97 MEPs, so the remaining options are fairly slim for both of them.
We are still waiting for the fat lady to sing.
Ralf Grahn
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Lisbon Treaty & European Council: EP composition (until 2014)
The Treaty of Lisbon lays down the basic numbers and principles regarding representation in the European Parliament, as well as the procedure whereby the European Council makes the decision.
If the Lisbon Treaty enters into force after the European elections 2009, the European Council wants to see transitional measures in place until the end of the 2009 to 2014 parliamentary term.
Is the European Council meeting today and tomorrow going to bring any clarity as to how?
***
Under the Treaty of Lisbon, Article 14(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the European Council decides on the composition of the European Parliament.
The decision has to be:
1) unanimous
2) within the treaty limits
3) based on an initiative by the European Parliament
4) with the consent of the European Parliament
Article 14(2) TEU (OJEU 9.5.2008 C 115/22─23)
2. The European Parliament shall be composed of representatives of the Union's citizens. They shall not exceed seven hundred and fifty in number, plus the President. Representation of citizens shall be degressively proportional, with a minimum threshold of six members per Member State. No Member State shall be allocated more than ninety-six seats.
The European Council shall adopt by unanimity, on the initiative of the European Parliament and with its consent, a decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament, respecting the principles referred to in the first subparagraph.
***
Complications
Because the Lisbon Treaty has not entered into force, the European elections from 4 to 7 June 2009 will be arranged under the modified Treaty of Nice. Lisbon and Nice differ on both the total numbers and the allocation of seats between member states.
In other words, if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, the numbers at treaty level would change during the parliamentary term.
There are two concrete complications:
The number of German MEPs would decrease from 99 to 96, after the election. Should three MEPs be expelled, perhaps only a few months into their mandate?
Twelve member states would gain a seat or two. This complicates matters both at national level (elections/by-elections) and at EU level.
***
December 2008 European Council
The European Council on 11 and 12 December 2008 agreed politically on a way forward. In a declaration annexed to the Presidency conclusions (Council document 17271/1/08 REV 1) the European Council agreed on devising transitional measures for the rest of the 2009─2014 term.
The declaration acknowledged that legal procedures are necessary, but it failed to detail the means.
German surplus
The German surplus was treated by a masterstroke of oblique language, without mentioning the country: the total number of MEPs will rise from 736 to 754 until the end of the 2009-2014 legislative period. The objective is that this modification should enter into force, if possible, during the year 2010.
Treaty level change is needed to modify the treaty, even transitionally. I have argued that it would be preferable to start the process as a separate exercise without delay, in order to enter into force if the Treaty of Lisbon does.
The European Council has indicated only that it would like the modification to enter into force during 2010, but has not explained how. It may have in mind to piggyback the following accession agreement (Croatia).
New MEPs
The additional representation for twelve member states (15 MEPs) is more of a complication at national level. How are the new MEPs going to be elected, as reserves in June 2009 or separately later? If later, this would thwart the character of proportional elections.
Have the member states in question came up with solutions?
Here is the text of the declaration:
Declaration of the European Council
Treaty of Lisbon – Transitional measures concerning the composition of the European Parliament
In the event that the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force after the European elections of June 2009, transitional measures will be adopted as soon as possible, in accordance with the necessary legal procedures, in order to increase, until the end of the 2009-2014 legislative period, in conformity with the numbers provided for in the framework of the IGC which approved the Treaty of Lisbon, the number of MEPs of the twelve Member States for which the number of MEPs was set to increase. Therefore, the total number of MEPs will rise from 736 to 754 until the end of the 2009-2014 legislative period. The objective is that this modification should enter into force, if possible, during the year 2010.
***
Even a short passage is able to raise as many questions as it answers, but it shows that the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon requires continuous public reporting on progress and proposals.
What can we expect from the Czech Council Presidency today and tomorrow?
Ralf Grahn
If the Lisbon Treaty enters into force after the European elections 2009, the European Council wants to see transitional measures in place until the end of the 2009 to 2014 parliamentary term.
Is the European Council meeting today and tomorrow going to bring any clarity as to how?
***
Under the Treaty of Lisbon, Article 14(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the European Council decides on the composition of the European Parliament.
The decision has to be:
1) unanimous
2) within the treaty limits
3) based on an initiative by the European Parliament
4) with the consent of the European Parliament
Article 14(2) TEU (OJEU 9.5.2008 C 115/22─23)
2. The European Parliament shall be composed of representatives of the Union's citizens. They shall not exceed seven hundred and fifty in number, plus the President. Representation of citizens shall be degressively proportional, with a minimum threshold of six members per Member State. No Member State shall be allocated more than ninety-six seats.
The European Council shall adopt by unanimity, on the initiative of the European Parliament and with its consent, a decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament, respecting the principles referred to in the first subparagraph.
***
Complications
Because the Lisbon Treaty has not entered into force, the European elections from 4 to 7 June 2009 will be arranged under the modified Treaty of Nice. Lisbon and Nice differ on both the total numbers and the allocation of seats between member states.
In other words, if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, the numbers at treaty level would change during the parliamentary term.
There are two concrete complications:
The number of German MEPs would decrease from 99 to 96, after the election. Should three MEPs be expelled, perhaps only a few months into their mandate?
Twelve member states would gain a seat or two. This complicates matters both at national level (elections/by-elections) and at EU level.
***
December 2008 European Council
The European Council on 11 and 12 December 2008 agreed politically on a way forward. In a declaration annexed to the Presidency conclusions (Council document 17271/1/08 REV 1) the European Council agreed on devising transitional measures for the rest of the 2009─2014 term.
The declaration acknowledged that legal procedures are necessary, but it failed to detail the means.
German surplus
The German surplus was treated by a masterstroke of oblique language, without mentioning the country: the total number of MEPs will rise from 736 to 754 until the end of the 2009-2014 legislative period. The objective is that this modification should enter into force, if possible, during the year 2010.
Treaty level change is needed to modify the treaty, even transitionally. I have argued that it would be preferable to start the process as a separate exercise without delay, in order to enter into force if the Treaty of Lisbon does.
The European Council has indicated only that it would like the modification to enter into force during 2010, but has not explained how. It may have in mind to piggyback the following accession agreement (Croatia).
New MEPs
The additional representation for twelve member states (15 MEPs) is more of a complication at national level. How are the new MEPs going to be elected, as reserves in June 2009 or separately later? If later, this would thwart the character of proportional elections.
Have the member states in question came up with solutions?
Here is the text of the declaration:
Declaration of the European Council
Treaty of Lisbon – Transitional measures concerning the composition of the European Parliament
In the event that the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force after the European elections of June 2009, transitional measures will be adopted as soon as possible, in accordance with the necessary legal procedures, in order to increase, until the end of the 2009-2014 legislative period, in conformity with the numbers provided for in the framework of the IGC which approved the Treaty of Lisbon, the number of MEPs of the twelve Member States for which the number of MEPs was set to increase. Therefore, the total number of MEPs will rise from 736 to 754 until the end of the 2009-2014 legislative period. The objective is that this modification should enter into force, if possible, during the year 2010.
***
Even a short passage is able to raise as many questions as it answers, but it shows that the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon requires continuous public reporting on progress and proposals.
What can we expect from the Czech Council Presidency today and tomorrow?
Ralf Grahn
Monday, 23 February 2009
European Parliament: Bureau ─ spider in the web
Whether you wonder at MEPs’ expenses or the funding debacle of Libertas, the spider in the web is the Bureau of the European Parliament.
***
We have seen that the European Parliament elects its President and its officers among its members (Article 197 TEC; Article 14(4) TFEU in the consolidated Lisbon Treaty).
We have also seen that the English treaty text refers to the constituent parts (officers), whereas other language versions point to the Bureau.
After looking at the different offices ─ President, fourteen Vice-Presidents and five (now six) Quaestors ─ we turn to the internal ruling body of the European Parliament: the Bureau.
***
Composition of the Bureau
Elected for two and a half years (Rule 16) the President and the fourteen Vice-Presidents automatically form the Bureau, with the Quaestors in an advisory capacity; Rule 21 of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (16th edition, October 2008):
Rule 21 Composition of the Bureau
1. The Bureau shall consist of the President and the fourteen Vice-Presidents of Parliament.
2. The Quaestors shall be members of the Bureau in an advisory capacity.
3. Should voting in the Bureau result in a tie, the President shall have a casting vote.
***
Duties of the Bureau
In the internal life of the European Parliament, the Bureau is the spider in the web. Finances, organisation, administration, members’ issues, personnel as well as funding for Europarties and their political foundations are either regulated or decided by the Bureau, as we see from Rule 22:
Rule 22 Duties of the Bureau
1. The Bureau shall carry out the duties assigned to it under the Rules of Procedure.
2. The Bureau shall take financial, organisational and administrative decisions on matters concerning Members and the internal organisation of Parliament, its Secretariat and its bodies.
3. The Bureau shall take decisions on matters relating to the conduct of sittings.
(Official explanation: The term 'conduct of sittings' includes the matter of the conduct of Members within all of Parliament's premises.)
4. The Bureau shall adopt the provisions referred to in Rule 31 concerning non-attached Members.
5. The Bureau shall decide the establishment plan of the Secretariat and lay down regulations relating to the administrative and financial situation of officials and other servants.
6. The Bureau shall draw up Parliament's preliminary draft estimates.
7. The Bureau shall adopt the guidelines for the Quaestors pursuant to Rule 25.
8. The Bureau shall be the authority responsible for authorising meetings of committees away from the usual places of work, hearings and study and fact-finding journeys by rapporteurs.
Where such meetings are authorised, the language arrangements shall be determined on the basis of the official languages used and requested by the members and substitutes of the committee concerned.
The same shall apply in the case of the delegations, except where the members and substitutes concerned agree otherwise.
9. The Bureau shall appoint the Secretary-General pursuant to Rule 197.
10. The Bureau shall lay down the implementing rules relating to European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding and shall, in implementing that Regulation, assume the tasks conferred upon it by these Rules of Procedure.
11. The President and/or the Bureau may entrust one or more members of the Bureau with general or specific tasks lying within the competence of the President and/or the Bureau. At the same time the ways and means of carrying them out shall be laid down.
12. When a new Parliament is elected, the outgoing Bureau shall remain in office until the first sitting of the new Parliament.
***
Who are they?
Who are the ones responsible for the orderly and savoury conduct of EP affairs? Take the rules on MEPs’ expenses, the controls put in place, corrective measures and information to the public. The Bureau is the linchpin.
You can find the composition of the Bureau on the web pages of the European Parliament at:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/otherBodies/search.do?body=2370&language=EN
1.
PÖTTERING, Hans-Gert President
2.
KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU, Rodi Vice-President
3.
VIDAL-QUADRAS, Alejo Vice-President
4.
ONESTA, Gérard Vice-President
5.
McMILLAN-SCOTT, Edward Vice-President
6.
MAURO, Mario Vice-President
7.
MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ, Miguel Angel Vice-President
8.
COCILOVO, Luigi Vice-President
9.
ROTHE, Mechtild Vice-President
10.
MORGANTINI, Luisa Vice-President
11.
ROURE, Martine Vice-President
12.
dos SANTOS, Manuel António Vice-President
13.
WALLIS, Diana Vice-President
14.
SIWIEC, Marek Vice-President
15.
BIELAN, Adam Vice-President
16.
NICHOLSON, James Quaestor
17.
LULLING, Astrid Quaestor
18.
DE VITS, Mia Quaestor
19.
FRIEDRICH, Ingo Quaestor
20.
FAZAKAS, Szabolcs Quaestor
21.
MULDER, Jan Quaestor
***
Language arrangements
The Rules of Procedure mention a number of specific tasks for the Bureau. All documents of the European Parliament are drawn up in the official languages and the speeches of MEPs are interpreted simultaneously into the other official languages and other languages the Bureau may decide . Interpretation is provided in committees according to wishes of members. If committees or delegations meet outside the EP, the language arrangements can be more flexible, but in case of disagreement the decision is taken by the Bureau (Rule 138).
The Bureau recommends the abolishment or extension of provisional language arrangements (Article 139).
***
Serious misconduct
The President rules on penalties for MEPs guilty of serious misconduct (Rule 147), but the member concerned can lodge an internal appeal to the Bureau (Rule 148).
***
Funding of Europarties and their foundations
The 2009 EU budget for the European Parliament contains non-negligible funds for political parties at European level (10.9 million euros) and their foundations (7.0 million euros).
The main provisions have been laid down by Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding, originally published OJEU 15.11.2003 L 297/1, but amended by Regulation 1524/2007, so this is a link to the consolidated version (of 27 December 2007):
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2003R2004:20071227:EN:PDF
More detailed rules were issued by the Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 29 March 2004 laying down the procedures for implementing Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding (OJEU 12.6.2004 C 155/1).
There is a second entry in the Official Journal OJEU 2008 C 252/1, but it was published in the C series, so it should not be an amending decision, only republication for informational purposes:
Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 29 March 2004 laying down the procedures for implementing Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding,
OJEU 3.10.2008 C 252/1.
Anyway, there are the hoops to jump through and the forms to fill out for the political parties and foundations concerned.
As we see, the Decision has been made by the Bureau.
***
Deciding on funding for Europarties
After the provisions on the funding system and its implementation, the EP’s Rules of Procedure regulate the concrete decision making on funds to be distributed to the European level parties and their foundations:
Rule 199 Powers and responsibilities of the Bureau
1. The Bureau shall take a decision on any application for funding submitted by a political party at European level and on the distribution of appropriations amongst the beneficiary political parties. It shall draw up a list of the beneficiaries and of the amounts allocated.
2. The Bureau shall decide whether or not to suspend or reduce funding and to recover amounts which have been wrongly paid.
3. After the end of the budget year the Bureau shall approve the beneficiary political party’s final activity report and final financial statement.
4. Under the terms and conditions laid down in European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 the Bureau may grant technical assistance to political parties at European level in accordance with their proposals. The Bureau may delegate specific types of decisions to grant technical assistance to the Secretary- General.
5. In all the cases set out in the above paragraphs the Bureau shall act on the basis of a proposal from the Secretary-General. Except in the cases set out in paragraphs 1 and 4 the Bureau shall, before taking a decision, hear the representatives of the political party concerned. The Bureau may at any time consult the Conference of Presidents.
6. Where Parliament - following verification - establishes that a political party at European level has ceased to observe the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, the Bureau shall decide that that political party shall be excluded from funding.
***
Libertas controversy
As far as we know from statements to the media, the potential pan-European political party Libertas has fallen foul of these regulations, which its chairman Declan Ganley has interpreted as a conspiracy against Libertas.
In principle, Libertas’ application for status and funds has failed, if I understand correctly, but the Bureau has mandated the EP’s legal services to consider if Libertas should have fulfilled the requirements by the dead-line for the application (1 November 2008) or if irregular or defected “representatives” can be replaced by new ones, which Ganley has offered to do.
***
Budget estimates
The Bureau draws up the preliminary draft estimates of the Euroepan Parliament on the basis of a report by the Secretary-General (Rule 73).
***
Accountability and questions
We have seen that the Bureau has a crucial role in questions of utmost importance to the conduct of the MEPs and the handling of party funding. Therefore the openness, transparency and accountability of the Bureau towards the public are significant.
Rule 28 of the EP’s Rules of Procedure looks promising:
Rule 28 Accountability of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents
1. The minutes of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents shall be translated into the official languages, printed and distributed to all Members of Parliament and shall be accessible to the public, unless the Bureau or the Conference of Presidents exceptionally, for reasons of confidentiality, as laid down in Article 4(1) to (4) of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, decides otherwise with regard to certain items of the minutes.
2. Any Member may ask questions related to the work of the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the Quaestors. Such questions shall be submitted to the President in writing and published in the Bulletin of Parliament within thirty days of tabling, together with the answers given.
***
Accessibility?
After navigating a fair number of pages on the European Parliament website, I am less certain if the European Parliament and I understand the same thing when we employ the term ‘accessible’.
By ‘accessible’ I mean information easily found, but I have failed to locate the decisions of the Bureau.
Based on earlier posts and this one I have come across a few areas, where I think that the European Parliament should step up its efforts to inform the public.
The European Parliament should post all the regulations concerning the European election procedures visibly (both permanently and on its election web pages).
The European Parliament’s decisions concerning MEPs’ allowances, control and the deliberate suppression of information including audit reports have been deplorable. The Bureau is the main responsible for the harm done to the EP’s reputation.
The Bureau’s minutes should be posted visbly on the EP’s web pages.
This includes decisions and documentation with regard to the Libertas funding controversy.
Ralf Grahn
***
We have seen that the European Parliament elects its President and its officers among its members (Article 197 TEC; Article 14(4) TFEU in the consolidated Lisbon Treaty).
We have also seen that the English treaty text refers to the constituent parts (officers), whereas other language versions point to the Bureau.
After looking at the different offices ─ President, fourteen Vice-Presidents and five (now six) Quaestors ─ we turn to the internal ruling body of the European Parliament: the Bureau.
***
Composition of the Bureau
Elected for two and a half years (Rule 16) the President and the fourteen Vice-Presidents automatically form the Bureau, with the Quaestors in an advisory capacity; Rule 21 of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (16th edition, October 2008):
Rule 21 Composition of the Bureau
1. The Bureau shall consist of the President and the fourteen Vice-Presidents of Parliament.
2. The Quaestors shall be members of the Bureau in an advisory capacity.
3. Should voting in the Bureau result in a tie, the President shall have a casting vote.
***
Duties of the Bureau
In the internal life of the European Parliament, the Bureau is the spider in the web. Finances, organisation, administration, members’ issues, personnel as well as funding for Europarties and their political foundations are either regulated or decided by the Bureau, as we see from Rule 22:
Rule 22 Duties of the Bureau
1. The Bureau shall carry out the duties assigned to it under the Rules of Procedure.
2. The Bureau shall take financial, organisational and administrative decisions on matters concerning Members and the internal organisation of Parliament, its Secretariat and its bodies.
3. The Bureau shall take decisions on matters relating to the conduct of sittings.
(Official explanation: The term 'conduct of sittings' includes the matter of the conduct of Members within all of Parliament's premises.)
4. The Bureau shall adopt the provisions referred to in Rule 31 concerning non-attached Members.
5. The Bureau shall decide the establishment plan of the Secretariat and lay down regulations relating to the administrative and financial situation of officials and other servants.
6. The Bureau shall draw up Parliament's preliminary draft estimates.
7. The Bureau shall adopt the guidelines for the Quaestors pursuant to Rule 25.
8. The Bureau shall be the authority responsible for authorising meetings of committees away from the usual places of work, hearings and study and fact-finding journeys by rapporteurs.
Where such meetings are authorised, the language arrangements shall be determined on the basis of the official languages used and requested by the members and substitutes of the committee concerned.
The same shall apply in the case of the delegations, except where the members and substitutes concerned agree otherwise.
9. The Bureau shall appoint the Secretary-General pursuant to Rule 197.
10. The Bureau shall lay down the implementing rules relating to European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding and shall, in implementing that Regulation, assume the tasks conferred upon it by these Rules of Procedure.
11. The President and/or the Bureau may entrust one or more members of the Bureau with general or specific tasks lying within the competence of the President and/or the Bureau. At the same time the ways and means of carrying them out shall be laid down.
12. When a new Parliament is elected, the outgoing Bureau shall remain in office until the first sitting of the new Parliament.
***
Who are they?
Who are the ones responsible for the orderly and savoury conduct of EP affairs? Take the rules on MEPs’ expenses, the controls put in place, corrective measures and information to the public. The Bureau is the linchpin.
You can find the composition of the Bureau on the web pages of the European Parliament at:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/otherBodies/search.do?body=2370&language=EN
1.
PÖTTERING, Hans-Gert President
2.
KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU, Rodi Vice-President
3.
VIDAL-QUADRAS, Alejo Vice-President
4.
ONESTA, Gérard Vice-President
5.
McMILLAN-SCOTT, Edward Vice-President
6.
MAURO, Mario Vice-President
7.
MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ, Miguel Angel Vice-President
8.
COCILOVO, Luigi Vice-President
9.
ROTHE, Mechtild Vice-President
10.
MORGANTINI, Luisa Vice-President
11.
ROURE, Martine Vice-President
12.
dos SANTOS, Manuel António Vice-President
13.
WALLIS, Diana Vice-President
14.
SIWIEC, Marek Vice-President
15.
BIELAN, Adam Vice-President
16.
NICHOLSON, James Quaestor
17.
LULLING, Astrid Quaestor
18.
DE VITS, Mia Quaestor
19.
FRIEDRICH, Ingo Quaestor
20.
FAZAKAS, Szabolcs Quaestor
21.
MULDER, Jan Quaestor
***
Language arrangements
The Rules of Procedure mention a number of specific tasks for the Bureau. All documents of the European Parliament are drawn up in the official languages and the speeches of MEPs are interpreted simultaneously into the other official languages and other languages the Bureau may decide . Interpretation is provided in committees according to wishes of members. If committees or delegations meet outside the EP, the language arrangements can be more flexible, but in case of disagreement the decision is taken by the Bureau (Rule 138).
The Bureau recommends the abolishment or extension of provisional language arrangements (Article 139).
***
Serious misconduct
The President rules on penalties for MEPs guilty of serious misconduct (Rule 147), but the member concerned can lodge an internal appeal to the Bureau (Rule 148).
***
Funding of Europarties and their foundations
The 2009 EU budget for the European Parliament contains non-negligible funds for political parties at European level (10.9 million euros) and their foundations (7.0 million euros).
The main provisions have been laid down by Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding, originally published OJEU 15.11.2003 L 297/1, but amended by Regulation 1524/2007, so this is a link to the consolidated version (of 27 December 2007):
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2003R2004:20071227:EN:PDF
More detailed rules were issued by the Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 29 March 2004 laying down the procedures for implementing Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding (OJEU 12.6.2004 C 155/1).
There is a second entry in the Official Journal OJEU 2008 C 252/1, but it was published in the C series, so it should not be an amending decision, only republication for informational purposes:
Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 29 March 2004 laying down the procedures for implementing Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding,
OJEU 3.10.2008 C 252/1.
Anyway, there are the hoops to jump through and the forms to fill out for the political parties and foundations concerned.
As we see, the Decision has been made by the Bureau.
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Deciding on funding for Europarties
After the provisions on the funding system and its implementation, the EP’s Rules of Procedure regulate the concrete decision making on funds to be distributed to the European level parties and their foundations:
Rule 199 Powers and responsibilities of the Bureau
1. The Bureau shall take a decision on any application for funding submitted by a political party at European level and on the distribution of appropriations amongst the beneficiary political parties. It shall draw up a list of the beneficiaries and of the amounts allocated.
2. The Bureau shall decide whether or not to suspend or reduce funding and to recover amounts which have been wrongly paid.
3. After the end of the budget year the Bureau shall approve the beneficiary political party’s final activity report and final financial statement.
4. Under the terms and conditions laid down in European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 the Bureau may grant technical assistance to political parties at European level in accordance with their proposals. The Bureau may delegate specific types of decisions to grant technical assistance to the Secretary- General.
5. In all the cases set out in the above paragraphs the Bureau shall act on the basis of a proposal from the Secretary-General. Except in the cases set out in paragraphs 1 and 4 the Bureau shall, before taking a decision, hear the representatives of the political party concerned. The Bureau may at any time consult the Conference of Presidents.
6. Where Parliament - following verification - establishes that a political party at European level has ceased to observe the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, the Bureau shall decide that that political party shall be excluded from funding.
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Libertas controversy
As far as we know from statements to the media, the potential pan-European political party Libertas has fallen foul of these regulations, which its chairman Declan Ganley has interpreted as a conspiracy against Libertas.
In principle, Libertas’ application for status and funds has failed, if I understand correctly, but the Bureau has mandated the EP’s legal services to consider if Libertas should have fulfilled the requirements by the dead-line for the application (1 November 2008) or if irregular or defected “representatives” can be replaced by new ones, which Ganley has offered to do.
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Budget estimates
The Bureau draws up the preliminary draft estimates of the Euroepan Parliament on the basis of a report by the Secretary-General (Rule 73).
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Accountability and questions
We have seen that the Bureau has a crucial role in questions of utmost importance to the conduct of the MEPs and the handling of party funding. Therefore the openness, transparency and accountability of the Bureau towards the public are significant.
Rule 28 of the EP’s Rules of Procedure looks promising:
Rule 28 Accountability of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents
1. The minutes of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents shall be translated into the official languages, printed and distributed to all Members of Parliament and shall be accessible to the public, unless the Bureau or the Conference of Presidents exceptionally, for reasons of confidentiality, as laid down in Article 4(1) to (4) of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, decides otherwise with regard to certain items of the minutes.
2. Any Member may ask questions related to the work of the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the Quaestors. Such questions shall be submitted to the President in writing and published in the Bulletin of Parliament within thirty days of tabling, together with the answers given.
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Accessibility?
After navigating a fair number of pages on the European Parliament website, I am less certain if the European Parliament and I understand the same thing when we employ the term ‘accessible’.
By ‘accessible’ I mean information easily found, but I have failed to locate the decisions of the Bureau.
Based on earlier posts and this one I have come across a few areas, where I think that the European Parliament should step up its efforts to inform the public.
The European Parliament should post all the regulations concerning the European election procedures visibly (both permanently and on its election web pages).
The European Parliament’s decisions concerning MEPs’ allowances, control and the deliberate suppression of information including audit reports have been deplorable. The Bureau is the main responsible for the harm done to the EP’s reputation.
The Bureau’s minutes should be posted visbly on the EP’s web pages.
This includes decisions and documentation with regard to the Libertas funding controversy.
Ralf Grahn
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