In this interview, Jacques F. Poos, Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004 and Quaestor, compares the administrative and financial powers of the Bureau with the political powers of the Conference of Presidents.

Diagram of Parliament's governing bodies (the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents, the Conference of Committee Chairmen, the Conference of Delegation Chairmen) (January 2014).

This publication, produced by the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication and published in 2008, presents the various bodies that make up the European Parliament and play a vital role in the smooth running of the institution.

Study drawn up in 2008 by the European Parliament’s Archive and Documentation Centre (CARDOC) on the main tasks of the Committees of the ECSC Common Assembly between 1952 and 1958.

Table showing the number and composition of the committees throughout the Parliament's history (Common Assembly 1953 — European Parliamentary Assembly 1958 — European Parliament 2009 and 2014).

Article du quotidien Libération paru en juillet 1989 à l'occasion de la constitution des commissions du Parlement européen nouvellement élu les 15-18 juin 1989. Les députés, après désignation des candidats par les groupes politiques, élisent les membres des commissions.

In this interview, Jacques F. Poos, Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004, explains how Parliament decides on the number of parliamentary committees and on their powers and composition.

This press release issued by the European Parliament on 3 April 2012 describes the major role played by European Parliament delegations in European foreign policy.

Diagram illustrating the organisational structure of the General Secretariat of the Common Assembly in 1953.

Diagram illustrating the organisational structure of the Secretariat General of the European Parliamentary Assembly in 1958.

The Secretariat of the European Parliament has the task of coordinating legislative work and organising plenary sittings and meetings. It also provides technical and expert assistance to parliamentary bodies and Members of Parliament to support them in the exercise of their mandates.

List of the Presidents of the Common Assembly, the European Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament.

On 20 July 1999, Nicole Fontaine was elected Président of the European Parliament.

Debate held in Brussels on 28 November 2001 between the candidates for the Presidency of the European Parliament. From left to right: Francis Wurtz (GUE/NLG, F), Gérard Onesta (Verts/ALE, F), David Martin (PSE, UK), Pat Cox (ELDR, IRL) and Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD, DK).

Speech by Mr Josep Borrell Fontelles following his election as President of the European Parliament on 20 july 2004.

Address given by Martin Schulz following his election as President of the European Parliament on 17 January 2012.

This film, dated 27 February 2013, describes the role and powers of the President of the European Parliament.

Inaugural speech made by Martin Schulz following his election as President of the European Parliament on 1 July 2014.

Paul-Henri Spaak, President of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community from 1952 to 1954.

Alcide de Gasperi, President of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1954.

Giuseppe Pella, President of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community from 1954 to 1956.

Hans Furler, President of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community from 1956 to 1958.

Robert Schuman, President of the European Parliamentary Assembly from 1958 to 1960.

Hans Furler, President of the European Parliamentary Assembly from 1960 to 1962.

On 19 March 1958, the European Parliamentary Assembly elects the Frenchman Robert Schuman as its President. In his first speech as head of the institution, the man who pronounced the Declaration of 9 May 1950, the founding act of the European adventure, highlights the changes made to the way in which the European Parliament works since the entry into force of the Treaties signed in Rome in March 1957.

Gaetano Martino, President of the European Parliament from 1962 to 1964.

Jean Duvieusart, President of the European Parliament from 1964 to 1965.

Victor Leemans, President of the European Parliament from 1965 to 1966.

Alain Poher, President of the European Parliament from 1966 to 1969.

Mario Scelba, President of the European Parliament from 1969 to 1971.

On 10 March 1970, as the eldest member, the Italian Roberto Cantalupo chairs the Plenary Session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg held in order to elect the President and the eight Vice-Presidents of the institution. Before proceeding with the election, which confirms by acclamation Mario Scelba’s Presidency for the second consecutive year, Cantalupo gives an address calling for the European Parliament’s powers to be extended and for the role played by the institution as promoter of the economic and political integration of the Community to be enhanced.

Walter Behrendt, President of the European Parliament from 1971 to 1973.

Cornelis Berkhouwer, President of the European Parliament from 1973 to 1975.

Georges Spénale, President of the European Parliament from 1975 to 1977.

Emilio Colombo, President of the European Parliament from 1977 to 1979.

Simone Veil, President of the European Parliament from 1979 to 1982.

Pieter Dankert, President of the European Parliament from 1982 to 1984.

Pierre Pflimlin, President of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1987.

Lord Henry Plumb, President of the European Parliament from 1987 to 1989.

Enrique Barón Crespo, President of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1992.

Egon Klepsch, President of the European Parliament from 1992 to 1994.

Klaus Hänsch, President of the European Parliament from 1994 to 1997.

José María Gil-Robles, President of the European Parliament from 1997 to 1999.

Nicole Fontaine, President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2002.

Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament from 15 January 2002 to 19 July 2004.

Group photograph of the former Presidents and the current President of the European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg on 25 September 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the institution. From left to right: Enrique Barón Crespo, José María Gil Robles, Sir Henry Plumb, Pat Cox (President-in-Office), Emilio Colombo, Klaus Hänsch, Pieter Dankert, Egon Klepsch and Hans-Joachim Opitz (former Secretary-General of the European Parliament).

Josep Borrell Fontelles, President of the European Parliament from 20 July 2004 to 15 January 2007.

Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament from 16 January 2007 to 13 July 2009.

Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament from 14 July 2009 to 16 January 2012.

Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament since 17 January 2012. On 1 July 2014, he was reelected for a second term as President of the European Parliament.

Former Vice-President of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), Jacques F. Poos, MEP, uncompromisingly summarises the role and operation of the Party of European Socialists compared with the Socialist Group in the European Parliament.

Rapport fait au nom de la Commission du Règlement de l'Assemblée commune, des Pétitions et des Immunités, sur l'insertion dans le Règlement d'une disposition relative à la constitution des Groupes politiques, par M. Paul Struye, Rapporteur. L'existence de groupes politiques au sein de l'Assemblée commune de la CECA rend nécessaire l'insertion dans son règlement intérieur d'une disposition les concernant.

Common Assembly Resolution of 16 June 1953, incorporating a provision relating to the formation of political groups into the Rules of Procedure.

Statement of formation of the Christian-Democratic Group as a faction in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, dated 23 June 1953.

In 1953, three political groups are formed in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community: the Christian-Democratic Group, the Socialist Group and the Liberal Group.

On 19 March 1958, at the first session of the European Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, the Christian Democrat Group is reconstituted within the new single assembly for the three European Communities.

Cet article du quotidien belge L'Écho de la Bourse se propose de montrer quels sont les grands courants politiques devant animer le Parlement européen après les élections du 10 juin 1979.

Article paru dans le quotidien français Le Figaro juste après les élections au Parlement européen du 10 juin 1979.

The Italian left-wing daily newspaper l’Unità outlines the political implications involved during the formation of political groups following the June 2004 elections to the European Parliament.

List of the political groups formed following the European elections of June 2004. In July 2004, there are seven political groups.

List of the political groups formed following the European elections of June 2009. In July 2009, there are seven political groups.

Distribution of seats at the European Parliament by political group (1979).

Distribution of seats at the European Parliament by political group (1984).

Distribution of seats at the European Parliament by political group (1989).

Distribution of seats at the European Parliament by political group (1994).

Distribution of seats at the European Parliament by political group (1999).

Distribution of seats at the European Parliament by political group (2004).

Distribution of seats in the European Parliament by political group in 2009.

Joseph Daul, Chair of the Group of the European People's Party and European Democrats (EPP-ED).

Francesco Enrico Speroni, Co-Chair of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group (EFD).

Nigel Farage, Co-President of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group (EFD).

Hannes Swoboda, Chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), formerly known as the Group of the Party of European Socialists (PES).

Guy Verhofstadt, Chair of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-Chair of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA).

Rebecca Harms, Co-Chair of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA).

Monica Frassoni, Co-Chair of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA).

Gabi Zimmer, Chair of the Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL).

Martin Callanan, Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformist Group (ECR).

In this interview, Jacques F. Poos, MEP, outlines the role of the political groups in the internal operation of the European Parliament.

In this interview excerpt, Willy Claes, Belgian Minister for Economic Affairs from 1973 to 1974, from 1977 to 1982 and from 1988 to 1992, Foreign Minister from 1992 to 1994 and President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) from 1992 to 1994, emphasises the importance, for the development of the European Parliament itself, of public funding for European political parties and their recognition in the treaties. Claes also discusses the European political party summits held prior to European Councils and the part they play in subsequent decisions taken at Community level.

In this interview excerpt, Willy Claes, Belgian Minister for Economic Affairs from 1973 to 1974, from 1977 to 1982 and from 1988 to 1992, Foreign Minister from 1992 to 1994 and President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) from 1992 to 1994, describes his memories of the establishment of the PES at the Hague Congress in 1992, the difficulties within the party caused by differences of opinion and the role of European political parties.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and a member of the Committee on Budgets from 1984 to 1987 and from 2004 to 2009, shares his thoughts on the impact of the extension of the European Parliament’s powers, particularly its role as co-legislator and its joint decision-making powers on budget issues, on the strategic relationships between the political groups in Parliament, especially between the two most powerful groups, the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) and the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP). He also describes the considerable influence of rapporteurs in their respective political groups and explains how they are appointed.

This film, dated 17 December 2013, explains the operation and role of political groups within the European Parliament.

In a letter sent on 28 February 1991 to Wilfried Martens, President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Christopher Prout, Chairman of the Group of the European Democrats, outlines the main reasons which prompted the British Conservative MPs to seek membership of the Group of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament.

Aide-mémoire d'avril 1991 du Parti populaire européen (PPE) sur la demande d'adhésion des députés conservateurs au groupe PPE du Parlement européen après les élections européennes de juin 1989.

Dans une note rédigée en vue de la Conférence des chefs de gouvernement et de parti du 13 avril 1991, Thomas Jansen, secrétaire général du Parti populaire européen (PPE), recommande d’adopter une solution d’ouverture à la question de l’adhésion des partis conservateurs britanniques et scandinaves.

Le 20 avril 1991, le quotidien français Le Monde observe que l’alliance entre démocrates-chrétiens et conservateurs au sein du groupe du PPE au Parlement européen a comme conséquence l’exclusion des partis français de centre-droit (RPR et UDF) du grand regroupement européen.

Le 13 février 2004, le quotidien belge La Libre Belgique consacre un article aux difficultés que rencontre le plus grand groupe politique du Parlement européen à cause de l’hétérogéneité de ses membres.

In the run-up to the first election of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, the national political parties join forces, at European level, in drawing up common electoral programmes. This article of September 1976 explains how the formation of political groups within the European Parliament in anticipation of the European elections results in the establishment of three large federations of political parties in the European Community: the Socialists, Christian Democrats and Liberals.

Au moment des élections européennes de juin 1979, le quotidien La Libre Belgique publie un entretien avec Gaston Thorn, président de la Fédération des Partis Libéraux et Démocrates de la Communauté européenne, et un entretien avec Robert Pontillon, président de l'Union des partis socialistes de la Communauté européenne.

On the occasion of the Conference of Heads of Government and Party Leaders of the European People’s Party (EPP), held in Brussels on 13 April 1991, the EPP announces that it is prepared to admit the people’s parties of the Scandinavian and Central European countries to its organisation and welcomes the contacts which have brought the British Conservatives closer to the policies of the EPP, with a view to forming a ‘Community of Groups’ in the European Parliament.

Le 1er juillet 1991, les présidents des trois fédérations européennes de partis, Willy de Clercq, Wilfried Martens et Guy Spitaels, adressent une lettre aux présidents du Conseil européen, du Conseil, du Parlement et de la Commission leur demandant de veiller à l'insertion d'un article sur le rôle des partis européens dans le traité sur l'Union européenne.

Article 191 of the Treaty on European Union, which is signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992 and comes into force on 1 November 1993, introduces a new political category of ‘political parties at European level’.

On 1 January 1992, with a view to clarifying that an article on the role of the European political parties in the new treaty was inserted on the initiative of Wilfried Martens, Belgian Prime Minister and President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Thomas Jansen, Secretary-General of the EPP, sends a copy of an article that he wrote on the scope of the initiative, which was published in Il Popolo, to Emanuele Gazzo, Vice-President and leader writer of Agence Europe.

The Treaty of Nice, which is signed on 26 February 2001 and comes into force on 1 February 2003, provides the legal basis for the adoption, in accordance with the codecision procedure and therefore by qualified majority voting, of Community regulations and funding for political parties at European level (Article 191 of the EC Treaty).

Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, dated 4 November 2003, establishes specific rules and the possibility of funding for political parties at European level.

Regulation (EC) No 1524/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, dated 18 December 2007, lays down the possibility for political parties at European level to set up European political foundations on the German model and to fund political campaigns at European level for the elections to the European Parliament.

In a paper published on the website of the ‘Notre Europe’ think tank on 18 May 2009, Francisco Roa Bastos investigates ‘political parties at European level’, a type of political organisation that is still relatively unfamiliar. These ‘Europarties’, often confused with the political groups in the European Parliament, are recognised by the Maastricht Treaty and two Community regulations under which they have enjoyed their own status and funding since 2003.

Report dated 28 April 2011, drawn up by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, on the proposal for a modification of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage. The aim of this report is to establish a single Europe-wide constituency and 25 additional MEPs elected from the multinational lists submitted by the political parties represented in the European Parliament.

Report dated 1 February 2012, drawn up by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, on the proposal for a modification of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage. This report is an attempt to Europeanise and modernise the European elections.

In the run-up to the 2014 European Parliament elections, the Committee on Constitutional Affairs asserts that the rules on founding and funding European political parties should be revised to improve their visibility, transparency and effectiveness and enhance the European character of these elections.