The Bureau of the European Parliament is the body that lays down rules for Parliament. It is responsible for all matters relating to the internal running of Parliament.
It draws up Parliament’s preliminary draft budgets and decides matters relating to the budget including administration, staff and organisational matters.
Its duties include deciding how parliamentary sittings should be organised, authorising committee or delegation meetings away from the usual places of work, as well as fact finding missions. The Bureau prepares preliminary draft estimates of Parliament’s expenditure.
Appointed by the Bureau, the Secretary-General is responsible for running Parliament’s administration and establishes the composition and organisation of the Secretariat. The Bureau generally meets twice a month.
Accountability
The Bureau’s minutes are translated into the official languages, printed and distributed to all Members of the European Parliament. MEPs may ask questions about the Bureau’s activities.
The Bureau decides on the funding for the political parties represented in the European Parliament.
Membership
The Bureau is composed of the president of the European Parliament along with all fourteen vice-presidents and the six quaestors. In the event of a tied vote in the Bureau, the president has the deciding vote.
Members are elected for two and a half years renewable term with the President holding a deciding vote. Elections are usually held at the start, and at the mid-point, of each Parliamentary term.
Current members
- Hans-Gert Pöttering: President
- Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou: Vice-President
- Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca: Vice-President
- Gérard Onesta: Vice-President
- Edward McMillan-Scott: Vice-President
- Mario Mauro: Vice-President
- Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez: Vice-President
- Luigi Cocilovo: Vice-President
- Mechtild Rothe: Vice-President
- Luisa Morgantini: Vice-President
- Pierre Moscovici: Vice-President
- Manuel António dos Santos: Vice-PresidentDiana Wallis: Vice-President
- Marek Siwiec: Vice-President
- Adam Bielan: Vice-President
- James Nicholson: Quaestor
- Astrid Lulling: Quaestor
- Mia De Vits: Quaestor
- Ingo Friedrich: Quaestor
- Szabolcs Fazakas: Quaestor
- Jan Mulder: Quaestor