Family Snapshot

It was half a century ago that Robert Schuman, a French politician and a catholic who was already considered at the time one of the fathers of a united Europe, was elected president of the European Parliament. The Parliamentary Assembly of the EEC inaugurated on March 19th, 1958 in Strasbourg; two months previously, the Commission had begun working in Brussels. It was the beginning of the integration process. Together with the Council, the two institutions were part of the EEC’s “triangular architecture”, defined by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Evidently a success, as the EU is still today underpinned by the same bodies, which have since been strengthened and have had their powers increased by later Treaties.For the celebrations, solemn speeches and candles on the cake. To celebrate the event the Parliament has called a solemn session for March 12th as part of the plenary session (March 10th-13th). Speakers will include current President Hans-Gert Poettering (EPP, DE), Council President Janez Jansa (SI), and Commission President Josè Manuel Barroso (P). The ceremony will include a concert, a “family snapshot” and, of course, a cake topped with 50 candles. Today’s Parliament has changed considerably since 1958. At that time, there were 142 deputies from the six Member States – Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg – and four official languages. The Assembly’s role then was purely advisory – it became known as the European Parliament in 1962. Today it seats 785 members from 27 countries who are elected every five years, and are united by political affiliation, regardless of nationality. From the next legislature, which will begin with the June 2009 elections, the number of deputies will be cut to 751. A growing legislative and political role. The history of the European Chamber parallels that of the EEC and, beginning in the 90’s, of the European Union. Following several legislative bills and the signing of the Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon Treaties (this last one still to be ratified), the Parliament’s political role in the integration process has increased. In 1970, it was given a role in the approval of the Community Budget. Then in 1979, the first direct elections took place. The Maastricht Treaty – in place from Nov. 1st 1993 – gave the Parliament powers of co-decision, giving it the equal legislative powers as Member States in 15 areas at first, which have now become 37 and will be further increased to 86 after the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon.Two Seats, 23 official languages. As the number of deputies and Member States increased over the years (the first enlargement took place in 1973, when the UK, Ireland and Denmark joined; the last was in 2007 with Romania and Bulgaria), so have the number of official languages, which now stands at twenty-three. Plenary sessions, Commission meetings and other Parliamentary activities take place in two sites, the main one in Strasbourg and the other in Brussels. This “dualism” has been the subject of some criticism due to the high costs involved and the displacement which deputies, assistants, staff, and journalists are subjected to on a monthly basis.Awaiting Pope Benedict. The Parliament, which represents the citizens and the people of the Union in the Community, deals with a long list of issues that impact our daily life: consumer protection and scientific research, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and programmes for the youth (Erasmus, for example), ensuring the free movement of people and goods, and the promotion of cultural diversity. Lately, it has helped approve new fees for mobile telephony, and has signed directives on the liberalization of services and on chemical substance marketing. The Charter of fundamental rights was signed in Strasbourg on Dec. 12th, and on Feb. 20th, the Treaty of Lisbon was approved. The European Chamber is actively involved in the sponsorship of events for 2008, Year of Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue. As an arena for international political debate over the years, it hosted world-class speakers such as UN Secretary Generals, Nobel Prize winners, heads of state and religious leaders – among them Pope John Paul II, in 1998. Pope Benedict XVI is expected to visit in coming months.