European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EP Answers
European Parliament position on the Conference on the Future of Europe
Members of the European Parliament from the Constitutional Affairs Committee have warned that the Covid‑19 crisis has made the need for reform more crucial than ever. Continue reading
What role for the European Parliament’s committees and how do they work?
The European Parliament’s committees carry out detailed examination of proposed EU laws and draw up proposed changes, upon which Members subsequently debate and vote. The committees are fundamental to EU decision-making systems and to the powers of the European Parliament. The European Parliament has 20 parliamentary committees composed of Members. Each committee is headed by … Continue reading
What is the European Parliament’s position on the situation in Syria?
In a resolution adopted on 15 March 2018, the European Parliament strongly condemned ‘… the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed during the conflict, and in particular the acts perpetrated by forces of the Assad regime, including with the support of its allies Russia and Iran, as well as by the UN-listed terrorist organisations’. Continue reading
What are political groups in the European Parliament and how are they formed?
The European Parliament regularly receives questions from citizens about its political groups. Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries to the European Parliament in 2019
Throughout 2019, people from across the EU and the world addressed the European Parliament to request information, express opinions or suggest ideas on a wide range of topics. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP) provides them with clear answers on the issues they raise. Continue reading
European Youth Event
The European Parliament regularly receives questions from citizens about the European Youth Event. Are you interested too? Find out how you can take part! Continue reading
Get in touch with the European Parliament
The European Parliament regularly receives enquiries from citizens about how to contact the European Parliament, its Members and its departments. If you have a question, who should you contact? Continue reading
European Parliament’s role in hearings of the 2019 Commissioner-designates
On 16 July 2019, the European Parliament elected, with 383 votes in favour, Ursula von der Leyen as President of the next European Commission. Individual governments of EU countries subsequently put forward candidate members of the European Commission. On 10 September 2019, President-elect von der Leyen presented her team, along with the proposed allocation of portfolios. Continue reading
Translation and interpretation at the European Parliament
Using 24 languages creates 552 possible language combinations. To cope with these, the European Parliament uses a system of ‘relay’ languages: a speaker or a text is first interpreted or translated into one of the most widely used languages (English, French or German), and then into other languages. As a rule, each interpreter and translator works into his/her mother tongue. Continue reading
Staffing arrangements of Members of the European Parliament
Members are free to choose their own staff, although they may not employ close relatives. To cover the costs of hiring staff, Members have a monthly budget of about €25 000 at their disposal. However, the Parliament does not simply give these sums to the Members. Parliament pays their staff salaries directly – and contributes to the relevant tax and social security authorities. Continue reading
Verifying the credentials of new Members of the European Parliament
The European Parliament regularly receives enquiries from citizens as to how it ensures that elected Members do not hold any office that is incompatible with the office of Member of the European Parliament. Continue reading
What are Spitzenkandidaten?
The European Parliament regularly receives enquiries from citizens on the election of the President of the European Commission and the process known as ‘Spitzenkandidaten’ or ‘lead candidates’. Continue reading
What is the European Union doing about climate change?
The European Parliament regularly receives enquiries from citizens asking what the European Union (EU) is doing about climate change. Continue reading
European elections: voting rights for EU citizens living abroad
The European Parliament regularly receives enquiries from EU citizens living abroad about how to vote in the European elections. Continue reading
European elections: how to stand as a candidate
The European Parliament regularly receives enquiries from citizens about how to stand as a candidate in the European elections. Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries to the European Parliament in 2018
Every day, citizens from all across the EU and the wider world address the European Parliament to request information, express opinions or suggest ideas on an extensive range of topics. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP) provides answers to citizens on the issues they raise. In 2018, citizens put more than 30 000 questions, suggestions and comments to the European Parliament or its President. Continue reading
European elections: common rules and national provisions
Citizens are asking what are the main common rules and national provisions for electing Members of the European Parliament. The procedures for electing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are governed both by European Union (EU) legislation, which defines certain rules common to all Member States, and by provisions specific to each Member State. Continue reading
What measures is the European Parliament taking to combat terrorism?
Many citizens have written to the European Parliament expressing their unity in the face of acts of terrorism. They also ask the EU institutions to adopt measures to combat and prevent these crimes. Continue reading
New rules on copyright in the digital single market
Technological advances and the growth of the digital market have given rise to an ever-growing number of questions from the public concerning the new proposals to modernise EU copyright rules. Continue reading
What changes are planned to end seasonal clock changes?
Citizens’ frequently send enquiries to the European Parliament on the topic of seasonal clock changes. Whereas some citizens call on the institution to abolish the current summer and winter-time arrangements, others are in favour of keeping them. Continue reading
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