Parliament president says further reform is needed
Buzek acknowledges that MEPs have little appetite for a new round of in-house reform.
The president of the European Parliament says he will continue to push for a more open and transparent Parliament, although he acknowledges that MEPs have little appetite right now for a new round of in-house reform.
Jerzy Buzek, who will next month reach the halfway point in his term as president of the 736-member chamber, said MEPs were still digesting the last wave of reforms for members and their assistants, and the effects of the Lisbon treaty on Parliament’s work.
“Is there still room for improvement? Absolutely, but I don’t feel just now a big pressure [for reform],” Buzek told European Voice. “Nobody is perfect and our rules for our members are not perfect, certainly.”
Buzek is still reflecting on the revolt by MEPs from across the political groups at the first plenary session after the summer break (6-9 September), when they reacted angrily to planned checks on attendance at important debates. The idea of the checks came from Buzek and the leaders of the main political groups, but MEPs baulked at what they saw as the indignity of the process and at the proposed fines of €70, which led to the proposal being retracted.
Tainted image
Buzek argues that the checks are needed to reverse the trend of poorly attended plenary debates, which he says taint the Parliament’s image among voters and visiting dignitaries. The plan reflects his priorities of ensuring an effective assembly that lives up to its new influence under the Lisbon treaty and improve co-operation with the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.
Buzek sees his primary role as a co-ordinator-in-chief, mediating behind the scenes between MEPs, member states and the Commission on tricky legislative and political issues – such as setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS), resolving problems over the EU-US deal on transferring banking data and getting an accord on a new EU budget. Buzek says that regular contacts are crucial to speeding the adoption of EU legislation.
Buzek says that he is working for “new habits and new political customs” in the Parliament, suggesting that not all reforms needed are included in the Lisbon treaty.
Damaged authority
Critics argue that Buzek should spend more time listening to MEPs’ concerns. One centre-right MEP suggests that Buzek should get “a better grip” over Parliamentary rules, claiming that the president undermined the oversight role of the Parliament during the negotiations on setting up the EEAS with member states in April.
Søren Bo Søndergaard, a Danish far-left MEP, blames him for damaging the authority of the Parliament’s leadership as a result of MEPs’ revolt against attendance checks. “He should have stopped this and at least demanded a discussion in Parliament,” said Søndergaard. “As president he is responsible. There is definitely room for improvement.”
A senior MEP admits that Buzek has not done himself any favours with his style as a “man of few words”. But he adds that, although many members are not yet used to having a central European as president, the former Polish prime minister and Solidarity activist is still widely respected by MEPs.
Top priorities
Buzek modestly acknowledges that he “cannot influence many activities” as president, but vows that the remaining 15 months of his term will continue to focus on his “top priorities”, including promoting human rights in China, Russia and Belarus as well as increasing the Parliament’s efficiency.
Buzek’s established reputation in Washington, DC, has also helped forge closer ties with the US Congress, another item on the Pole’s agenda.
He confesses to surprise at the workload his term has brought: “I did not think it was possible to have more work than a prime minister. Now I know it is possible.”
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