What's in a name? Maurizio from Italy what's to know whether the President of the European Parliament has a nominal role, or if there is some weight behind it. In fact, what was once a ceremonial title has evolved into something quite different indeed.

How It Works: The powers of the President

Does the President of the EP   have real powers?

From now until 2012 the President   of the EP will be Jerzy Buzek.

The president's powers reside   in protocol and legislation.

Within the EP they ensure that rules are   respected and that it functions well.

They also act as the face and   voice of the EP to the outside world.

after the introduction of universal suffrage   to appoint the European Parliament,

Evidence of this was when outgoing   president Hans-Gert Pöttering

after welcoming the Dalai Lama during   the plenary in November 2008.

The Chinese authorities weren't   too pleased

with the Sakharov prize going to   imprisoned Chinese dissident Hu-Jia.

The EP and its president's credibility is   also played out within the EU itself.

the EP president is invited to express   MEPs views,

but speaking time is limited to   30 minutes.

The EP has demanded better access to   Council meetings and more transparency.

the EP would be put on an equal footing   with the Council on legal matters.