Roles and responsibilitites
The Conference of Presidents is a governing body of the European Parliament. Chaired by the President of the European Parliament, the Conference is responsible for organising parliamentary business, including its administration and agenda. These duties include deciding the responsibilities and membership of parliamentary committees and delegations, relations with other EU institutions, national parliaments of members states and non-EU countries
The Conference of Presidents prepares Parliament’s timetable, allocates seats within the chamber and prepares the agenda for plenary sittings.
The Conference of Presidents bases its decisions upon a consensus of members or by weighted vote based on the number of members in each political group.
Membership and frequency of meetings
The Conference consists of the president of Parliament, the chairmen of the political groups and a representative of the Non-Inscrits (independent members). The Conference of Presidents meets on average twice a month and meetings are held in private.
Two representatives of the non-attached Members also have seats in the Conference of Presidents but no voting rights.
Composition
The Conference of Presidents is composed of the Chairs of the political groups who represent MEPs’ interests. This composition highlights the importance of the political groups in the running of parliamentary business.
Despite the desirability of reaching a consensus, this does not always happen because of the dominance of the largest parliamentary groups, the chairs of which always vote with their MEPs.
Rule 23 (Composition of the Conference of Presidents)
- The Conference of Presidents shall consist of the President of Parliament and the chairs of the political groups. The chair of a political group may arrange to be represented by a member of that group.
- The non-attached members shall delegate one of their number to attend meetings of the Conference of Presidents, without having the right to vote.
- The Conference of Presidents shall endeavour to reach a consensus on matters referred to it.
Duties
The duties of the Conference of Presidents as laid down in the rules of procedure are as follows:
- The Conference of Presidents shall carry out the duties assigned to it under the Rules of Procedure.
- The Conference of Presidents shall take decisions on the organisation of Parliament's work and matters relating to legislative planning.
- The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for matters relating to relations with the other institutions and bodies of the European Union and with the national parliaments of Member States. The Bureau shall name two Vice-Presidents who shall be entrusted with the implementation of the relations with national parliaments. They shall report back regularly to the Conference of Presidents on their activities in this regard.
- The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for matters relating to relations with non-member countries and with non-Union institutions and organisations.
- The Conference of Presidents shall draw up the draft agenda of Parliament's part-sessions.
- The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for the composition and competence of committees, committees of inquiry and joint parliamentary committees, standing delegations and ad hoc delegations.
- The Conference of Presidents shall decide how seats in the Chamber are to be allocated pursuant to Rule 32.
- The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for authorising the drawing up of own-initiative reports.
- The Conference of Presidents shall submit proposals to the Bureau concerning administrative and budgetary matters relating to the political groups.
According to Rule 200(1) the Conference of Presidents engages in an exchange of views ahead of a possible decision to refer to the committee responsible the question whether or not a political party at European level is continuing to observe (in particular in its programme and in its activities) the principles upon which the European Union is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.
Suspension or removal of MEP
Among the penalties for serious misconduct, generally decided by the President, is the submission to the Conference of Presidents, under Rule 18, of a proposal for the Member's suspension or removal from one or more of the elected offices held by the Member in Parliament, according to Rule 147(2)(d).
Accountability
The Conference of Presidents is committed to openness and transparency. The minutes of the Conference of Presidents are distributed to all MEPs and are intended to be ‘accessible to the public’.
The minutes of Conference of Presidents meetings are translated into the official languages, printed and distributed to all Members. Any Member may ask questions about the Conference of Presidents’ activities.
Rule 28 Accountability of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents
- The minutes of the Conference of Presidents are translated into the official languages, printed and distributed to all Members of the European Parliament. They shall be accessible to the public, unless the Bureau or the Conference of Presidents exceptionally, for reasons of confidentiality, as laid down in Article 4(1) to (4) of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, decides otherwise.
- Any MEP may ask questions related to the work of the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the Quaestors. Such questions shall be submitted to the President in writing and published in the Bulletin of Parliament within thirty days of tabling, together with the answers given.
1. PÖTTERING, Hans-Gert, President
2. DAUL, Joseph
3. SCHULZ, Martin
4. WATSON, Graham
5. CROWLEY, Brian
6. MUSCARDINI, Cristiana
7. FRASSONI, Monica
8. COHN-BENDIT, Daniel
9. WURTZ, Francis
10.FARAGE, Nigel
11. BELOHORSKÁ, Irena