Once they are elected, MEPs can take on various roles. They can serve as the President or as Vice-President of the European Parliament, join committees, or even become an observer, which, despite being a less discussed position, is still an equally important role within Parliament.
In this episode, we will take a closer look at what it means to be an observer in order to better understand who can become one, what their duties are and how they operate.

Jargon Jungle: the role of Observers

Out of the jargon jungle. The role of the European Parliament President?

The role of the European Parliament President?

After electing the President and the 14 Vice-Presidents, the European Parliament elects the Quaestors. But what exactly is their role?

Out of the jargon jungle: what is a Quaestor?

The European Parliament is more than just its MEPs. Every day, thousands of people work behind the scenes at this large institution and strive to make the European Union more accessible, effective and transparent for people across the EU. And with so many people working together, it can be difficult to keep everything running smoothly. That’s why administrative bodies like Parliament’s Bureau are essential.

Jargon jungle. The role of the Bureau

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Foreign interference in democratic processes and election integrity

DEVE Committee- Election of the 2nd Vice-Chair

Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. Implementation Meeting

SEDE Subcommittee - Election of the bureau

ECON Commitee Meeting - Election of the Chair

Election of the President of the CommissionStatement by the candidate for President of the Commission

EP Plenary - Election of the President of the Commission - Ursula VON DER LEYEN is elected President of the EC

Election of the President of the Commission - Statement by the Newly Elected President of the Commission

EP Plenary - Election of the President of the Commission - Ushers preparing the plenary Chamber for the vote

Ushers carry the ballot boxes for the counting of the votes

Plenary session Election of the President of the Commission - Counting of the votes

Plenary session Election of the President of the Commission

Plenary session - Election of the President of the European Commission - General view of the Plenary Chamber from the tribune

Group meeting - Election Chair of the Group/Constitution du Groupe

Exhibition: 40 years of European electionsExhibition: 40 years of European electionsExhibition: 40 years of European elections

After the US mid-term elections: Where next for American politics?

AGRI Committee - Election of a new 4th Vice-Chair

This news item shows the atmosphere with media during the Election day in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium (09/06/2024). Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European Elections 2024 - Atmosphere shots of the Election day in the European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium)

MEPs debate on proposals for the lead candidate system ahead of the 2024 elections, after the vote was postponed at November’s plenary session, to allow for more time for deliberation. The proposition includes a mechanism to elect the Commission President, as well as ways to increase turnout and enhance democratic processes. Opening statements by Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES) and Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Rapporteurs and Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

The European Elections 2024: opening statements by Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES) and Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Rapporteurs and Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

David SASSOLI, EP President, gives a statement on the occasion of the inauguration of the new President of the United States, Joe BIDEN.

Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President on the Inauguration of the new President of the United States

Footage of the preparations ahead of the European elections in The Hague (The Netherlands). Atmosphere shots

European Elections 2019 - Preparation of the elections in The Hague (The Netherlands): atmosphere shots

Footage of polling stations for the European elections in The Hague (The Netherlands) and London (UK). Dutch and Brisith citizens voting. Outdoor views of The Hague and London.

European Elections 2019 - Polling stations in The Hague (The Netherlands) and London (UK): atmosphere shots

Footage of the preparations ahead of the European elections in Rouffach (France) and Rhodes (Greece). We see workers organizing and packaging election leaflets in a warehouse in Rouffach (France) which are then transported to households in a lorry. In Rhodes (Greece) we see the preparation and distribution of voting materials, like voting cards and envelops, for remote islands. The materials are then transported by a ferry.

European elections 2019 - Preparation of the elections in Rouffach (France) and Rhodes (Greece)

On 4th May 2019, the European Parliament organises the annual open door day to celebrate the Europe Day. On this occasion, several events were organised aound the European elections 2019. General atmosphere.

Open door day at the European Parliament: general atmosphere

Visit of the exhibition : Elections 1979-2019 at the European Parliament Different examples with panels campaigns from 1979 to 2019

Infoclip: Exhibition Elections 1979-2019 (European Parliament)

Election of the President of the EPP Group, in the EP in Brussels. Atmosphere shots, arrivals at the EPP group meeting. Joseph DAUL, President of the European People's Party, opens the meeting. Ambience shots during the vote counting the votes.&nbsp; Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE) is re-elected&nbsp;as EPP Group President&nbsp;

Election of the President of the EPP Group: ambiance shots and extracts from the vote

EP Delegation for the Election Observation in Kiev, Ukraine. Meeting with Prime Minister Arseniy YATSENYUK and President Petro POROSHENKO and extracts from the Joint Press conference of the International Election Observation.

Parliamentary elections in Ukraine - Election Observation Delegation: Meeting with Prime Minister Arseniy YATSENYUK and President Petro POROSHENKO and extracts from the Press conference

EP Delegation for the Election Observation in Kiev, Ukraine. Election Day, observation of Opening and Voting and statement by Andrej PLENKOVIĆ (EPP,HR), Chair of the EP Observation Delegation

Parliamentary elections in Ukraine - Election Observation Delegation: Election Day, observation of Opening and Voting and statement by Andrej PLENKOVIĆ (EPP,HR), Chair of the EP Observation Delegation

Atmosphere at the European Parliament during the electoral evening on 17/06/1984 and atmosphere during the communication of the results. Extract from the press conference of Piet DANKERT, EP President (18/06/1984)

European Elections 1984: Atmosphere at EP in Brussels during the electoral evening

Dutch citizens participate in the first elections in the Netherlands on 7th June 1979. They arrive at the polling station to vote.Campaign posters are displayed in the street. Wim VAN VELZEN (PvdA) arrives at the polling station.

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