The Centre, 22 Avenue Marnix, 1000 Brussels

With David Earnshaw, visiting professor at the College of Europe Bruges and Chairman of Burson Marsteller Brussels

Chaired by Simon O'Connor, The Centre

More than 100 people attended the latest UACES Brussels Lunch-time seminar in cooperation with 'The Centre'. David Earnshaw, analyst, experienced lobbyist and author of several publications about EU institutions, particularly the European Parliament, gave his assessement of the challenges for the future EP at a crucial moment, just two weeks before the 2009 EU elections. Focussing on important changes to the EP's internal rules, the future of comitology and the EP's role in it, and the likely shifts between and within the major political groups, Earnshaw underlined that interesting times lay ahead for the EU's elected assembly. A lively debate ensued which focussed on the problems of legitimacy of the Parliament caused by declining voter turnout, the transparency of the EU's legislative process and the impact of the new rules of procedure on party group cohesion, among other issues.

View the PowerPoint Presentation

Further information about the UACES Brussels Seminars can be obtained from Dr Justus Schönlau.