EP Rules of Procedure, Rule 23: composition of the Conference of Presidents

The Committee on Constitutional Affairs adopted a report drawn up by Georgios PAPASTAMKOS (EPP-ED, EL) on the amendment of Rule 23 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure on the composition of the Conference of Presidents.

This Rule relates to the composition of the Conference of Presidents and in particular as regards the representation of non-attached Members, who - under the present provisions – can delegate two of their number to attend the Conference, but without having the right to vote.

The Committee felt that there was no justification for the non-attached Members to be overrepresented in comparison with the regularly constituted political groups. This was due to due to the drastic reduction in number of the non-attached Members, who have become even less numerous (14) than the minimum number required to form a political group (20). Accordingly, there was no justification any more for them to be represented by two members. The rule was changed to state that the non-attached Members shall delegate one of their number to attend meetings of the Conference of Presidents, without having the right to vote.