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European Parliament Elections 2019

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  • European
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  • Euobserver
It is difficult to acknowledge you don't know something. A few months ago, several thousand Europeans were asked hundreds of questions for the Eurobarometer poll. One of those questions was: "Do you agree with the statement: 'I understand how the EU works'." Only 10 percent totally disagreed with that statement. Another 29 percent "tended to disagree". Peculiarly, three percent said they did not know whether to agree or disagree.

EUobserved: Everywhere

EUobserved: Everywhere but the plenary During the 12-times-a-year Strasbourg sessions, MEPs are very busy. Often they do not even show up during plenary debates with EU leaders. By Peter Teffer Perception matters in politics. Romanian MEP Cristian Dan Preda (EPP) during the EU parliament debate with Romanian prime minister Viorica Dancila, surrounded by empty seats. Photo: European Parliament Watching MEPs during a plenary session in Strasbourg shows that members from across Europe and from all political backgrounds display behaviour that a school teacher would not allow. They walk around to chat with other MEPs, leave the room to take a phone call, or make that all-toofamiliar scrolling movement on their smartphone or tablet, to refresh a social media page. But at least they showed up. During a plenary debate with Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, in January, EUobserver counted a mere 52 MEPs in the plenary hall. This number increased to 132 by the end of the debate, which was, in any case, more a collection of short speeches than a genuine discussion. Romanian leader Viorica Dancila also faced a tiny group of MEPs (69) when she spoke at the EU assembly the same day. Liberal leader Guy Verhofstadt, a Belgian MEP, heavily criticised the centre-left Romanian prime minister. But by the time Dancila's slot to respond had come up on the clock, the former Belgian prime minister had left. In 2017, EU commission president Jean-Claude Juncker called the EU parliament "very ridiculous" for showing up in low numbers to hear Malta's PM speak. During the 12-times-a-year Strasbourg sessions, MEPs also have meetings with their own political groups, discussions on bills, meetings with journalists, and host visitors. "I don't expect all the members to sit here, because then they are not doing their other work," German Green MEP Ska Keller told EUobserver. To individual MEPs it may seem unfair that they are being scrutinised closer than MPs at home, where empty plenary chambers are also common. Perhaps they are right. But the effect of their actions on the image of European politics cannot be dismissed. Citizens going to the polls in May to vote in the next generation of MEPs might well expect their EU representatives to at least show up during important debates with European leaders. If the format of the debate is not sexy enough, then the parliament is free to change the set-up. 42 — EUROPEAN PARLIAMANT ELECTIONS 2019

EUobserver Making sense of the EU Get the latest news, analysis and investigations Subscribe today. Cancel anytime Special discount Save 50% €150 €75 per year or €15 per month Discount code: EUOBS50 43 — EUROPEAN PARLIAMANT ELECTIONS 2019

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