What I'll be looking for at the first European Plenary session
Overview of the session's calendar, elections, nominations, and committee constitutions.
Quite an eventful weekend, if you ask me.
Spain won the Eurocup, the French celebrated their national holiday amidst the strangest political situation since the 70’s, and I spent two days packing cardboard boxes ahead of my upcoming house move.
Oh! and Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt. What a time to be alive…
Back in Brussels, the newly- and re-elected Parliament of the European Parliament will open this week the 2024-2029 term of this esteemed House.
For the occasion, I wanted to take you on a tour of the information I could gather here and there about the first plenary session of the new European Parliament, as well as considerations on what to look for ahead of this most important week.
Let’s get started.
If you enjoy my articles, you can support The Beubble by liking, subscribing, and sharing this post with your friends and colleagues. Thank you!
These seats need to be filled
The first item on the agenda on Tuesday will be the election of the European Parliament President. Malta’s Roberta Metsola is expected to win an additional 2,5 term.
Next up, the 14 (!) Vice-Presidents, from the various groups of the Parliament. These seats have been carefully divided among the main political groups. Votes could potentially last until 11 p.m., the agenda indicates.
The next day, MEPs will elect the five Quaestors of the House. They are responsible for administrative and financial matters which directly affect members of the European Parliament.
But the most important (and frankly more interesting) vote for the EU will take place on Thursday, with the elections (and debates!) of the European Commission President. Although outgoing President Ursula von der Leyen is the proposed candidate of the European Council, the margin for von der Leyen is very small.
Only on Thursday will we know if her legwork towards the Greens and Renew Groups works well enough to secure her a second term at the head of the EU executive branch. The vote is scheduled for early afternoon, with possible debates afterward.
On Friday, finally, the European Parliament will appoint its members to Committees, with a closing at 12 p.m.
In addition to these nominations and attributions, MEPs will discuss on Tuesday morning The need for the EU’s continuous support for Ukraine, with one round of speeches from Group speakers, with a vote scheduled in the afternoon.
Welcoming new MEPs
How do you welcome new MEPs, especially those elected as a part of a gigantic prank?
The European Parliament put together a welcoming package for new parliamentarians, starting with a “Welcome Village” (sounds very Club Med, if you ask me) that will help new MEPs get installed in their new functions.
Until the end of September, parliamentarians will be seconded by “MEP Welcome Aides”. These aides will meet and greet the newly-elected MEPs, show them around the buildings, provide learning information (such as mandatory training, language courses, etc.), and answer the questions of MEPs.
Who does not dream of such an onboarding experience at work?
What I’ll be looking for
Like many of you, I’ll first be waiting for the election (or not!) of Ursula von der Leyen at the European Commission’s head, and with whose votes.
All indicators indicate that even if the outgoing president is given an extra term, it will be by such a narrow margin that her tenure risks being a rocky one.
I’ll also be looking at the composition (and denomination) of the Parliament’s committees. Will the ENVI committee split into climate and health policies? Who will have the most chances in chairing which committees?
These are questions I’ll be carefully pondering next weekend (or earlier if my house move goes well).
Until then, stay tuned.
Thanks for reading!
I’m Alexandre Météreau, EU lobbyists and campaigner.
On The Beubble, I share insights and practical advice on EU policymaking and influence.
Connect with me on LinkedIn or subscribe to The Beubble for more content and updates. You can also support the newsletter by selecting a premium plan.