Once they are elected, MEPs can take on various roles. They can serve as the President or as Vice-President of the European Parliament, join committees, or even become an observer, which, despite being a less discussed position, is still an equally important role within Parliament.
In this episode, we will take a closer look at what it means to be an observer in order to better understand who can become one, what their duties are and how they operate.

Jargon Jungle: the role of Observers

When we think of the European Parliament, we usually imagine MEPs voting in the debating chamber. In reality, though, voting only takes place once a month, during plenary part-sessions. But what actually are these part-sessions, and how do they work?

What are plenary sessions?

Have you ever heard of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament?
From their job title, it’s clear that they play a crucial role in Parliament and must be important political figures. 
But do you know what the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament really do, who they are and how they are elected?

Jargon Jungle: the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament

Out of the jargon jungle. The role of the European Parliament President?

The role of the European Parliament President?

After electing the President and the 14 Vice-Presidents, the European Parliament elects the Quaestors. But what exactly is their role?

Out of the jargon jungle: what is a Quaestor?

The European Parliament is more than just its MEPs. Every day, thousands of people work behind the scenes at this large institution and strive to make the European Union more accessible, effective and transparent for people across the EU. And with so many people working together, it can be difficult to keep everything running smoothly. That’s why administrative bodies like Parliament’s Bureau are essential.

Jargon jungle. The role of the Bureau

It’s time to vote! Between 6 and 9 June this year, millions of EU citizens will help shape the future of the European Union by voting in the European elections. The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU body and the European elections are one of the biggest democratic events in the world. Join us in this episode as we take a closer look at how the seats are divided amongst member states.

The European elections explained: how are the seats divided?

It’s time to vote! Between 6 and 9 June this year, millions of EU citizens will help shape the future of the European Union by voting in the European elections. The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU body and the European elections are one of the biggest democratic events in the world. Join us in this episode as we take a closer look at how the voting system works. Don’t miss this chance to find out how your vote counts!

The European elections explained: how does the voting system work?

In response to growing threats to media freedom and the financial viability of media outlets, Parliament adopted a common framework for media services, known as the European Media Freedom Act. It is a true milestone, as the act protects journalists and media workers, encourages transparency in media ownership and promotes international cooperation to ensure a diverse and independent media landscape.

The EU’s Media Freedom Act

The Spring 2023 Eurobarometer showed citizens strongly support democracy and are very aware of next year’s European elections. The vote to choose our Members of the European Parliament will take place from 6 to 9 June 2024 in all EU countries.

Spring 2023 Eurobarometer

The European Parliament is marking 70 years of democracy in action - from its first assembly in 1952 to being stronger than ever during challenging times today.

70th Anniversary of the European Parliament: 70 years of European democracy

Democracy: the role of the media - European Elections 2024

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Defending democracy from foreign interference

EP Plenary session- Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The state law relating to abortion in Texas, USA

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - Human rights situation in Myanmar, including the situation of religious and ethnic groups

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The situation in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The case of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor in UAE

Online Seminar - The disinformation dilemma: How to respond and regulate without undermining democracy?

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy - Workshop 3: Advancing democracy through female leadership (European Endowment for Democracy)

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy. - Closing Plenary

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy. - Workshop 4: Democracies in need of support (ENoP)

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy. - Workshop 1: Technology and the changing public sphere (European Partnership for Democracy)

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy. - Session II: Advancing democracy through inclusion

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy. - Session I: EU Leadership for Democracy – Internal and external dimensions

International Day of Democracy 2018 - Session I: EU Leadership for Democracy – Internal and external dimensions

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy. - Opening Address by the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights

International Day of Democracy 2018: EU Leadership for Democracy. - Welcome and Statement on Democracy

Gaelic version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Gaelic version)

Slovenian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Slovenian version)

Dutch version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Dutch version)

Slovak version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Slovak version)

Romanian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Romanian version)

Lithuanian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Lithuanian version)

Greek version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Greek version)

Polish version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Polish version)

Danish version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Danish version)

Estonian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Estonian version)

Finnish version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Finnish version)

Austrian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Austrian version)

Croatian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Croatian version)

Bulgarian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Bulgarian version)

Irish version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Irish version)

Flemish version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Flemish version)

Portuguese version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Portuguese version)

Hungarian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

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