Context
"Les citoyens de la Petite Europe éliront-ils leur parlement en 1962?" dans Le Soir (2 février 1959)
TextConstitué le 22 octobre 1958, le "Groupe de travail pour les élections européennes" a pour tâche d'étudier les difficultés relatives à l'organisation de l'élection de l'Assemblée parlementaire européenne au suffrage universel direct. En février 1959, le quotidien belge Le Soir reprend les explications du président du groupe de travail, Fernand Dehousse, justifiant un délai particulièrement long pour les travaux à peine amorcés.
General report by Fernand Dehousse, Member of the European Parliamentary Assembly (30 April 1960)
TextOn 22 October 1958, a working party on the European elections, chaired by Fernand Dehousse, is set up within the Political Affairs Committee of the European Parliamentary Assembly (EPA). On 30 April 1960, the working party submits to the EPA a collection of reports and documents relating to the Draft convention on the election of the Members of the European Parliamentary Assembly by direct universal suffrage, the general report of which is drawn up by Fernand Dehousse.
Texts relating to the election of the Members of the European Parliamentary Assembly by direct universal suffrage (17 May 1960)
TextOn 17 May 1960, the European Parliamentary Assembly adopts a draft convention on the election of its Members by direct universal suffrage.
European Parliament resolution on the election of Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (12 Mars 1969)
TextOwing to the six years of absence of any consideration by the Council of the draft convention on the election of the Members of the European Parliamentary Assembly by direct universal suffrage, in 1969, the European Parliament threatens the Council with bringing proceedings for failure to act before the Court of Justice under former Article 175 of the EC Treaty.
Vedel Report (25 March 1972)
TextOn 25 March 1972, the Committee of experts, chaired by senior parliamentarian, Georges Vedel, submits to the European Parliament its report on the problem of the increased powers of the European Parliament (EP).
Otto von Habsburg on the reform of the European Parliament (Langenlois, 4 July 1974)
Audio extractIn 1974, at a conference held in Austria on the economic and political situation in Europe, Otto von Habsburg, President of the International Paneuropean Union, argues in favour of the election of Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage.
Final communiqué of the Paris Summit (9 and 10 December 1974)
TextAt their meeting in Paris on 9 and 10 December 1974, the Heads of State or Government of the Nine decide that direct elections ‘could take place at any time in or after 1978’ and invite the European Parliament to submit new proposals to replace the draft convention adopted in 1960.
Interview with Jacques Santer: the election of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (Sanem, 6 April 2006)
VideoIn this interview, Jacques Santer, former Member of the European Parliament, recalls the nature of the debates, held during the 1970s, on the election of Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage.