President of the European Commission elected by the European Parliament

During the plenary session in Strasbourg the Intergroup "European Constitution" in the European Parliament discussed the topic ‘Presidency in the EU’.

MEPs from five different political groups call on the Convention to include in the European Constitution the principle that the president of the European Commission is elected by the European Parliament. Members of the Intergroup will next week present a written declaration according to rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure seeking to gain a majority in the European Parliament in favour of the demand.

The Intergroup strongly defends the community method and rejects all attempts to strengthen the intergovernmental method. The community method should be extended to all policy areas of the EU, including the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The European Council should not acquire executive functions and therefore not be developed into a European institution. It should rather fulfil its role to provide the necessary impetus for the further development of the EU and to define general political aims.
The Intergroup therefore rejects the idea of some heads of states and governments (Chirac, Blair, Aznar) to elect a president of the European Council for the legislature of five years. After enlargement there should be practical arrangements for a new organisation of the rotation principle (i.e. order, duration, troika system).

During the October session of the Parliament the Intergroup will discuss the draft proposals for a European Constitution by Elmar Brok (PPE) and Andrew Duff (ELDR).

Steering Committee of the Intergroup: Carlos CARNERO GONZALEZ (PSE, E), Andrew DUFF (ELDR, UK), Monica FRASSONI (Verts, B), Alain LAMASSOURE (PPE, F), Jo LEINEN (PSE, D), Cecilia MALMSTRÖM (ELDR, S), Mario MANTOVANI (PPE, I), Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS (GUE, GR)
For further information contact: Kristina Weich Hondrila
Secrétariat de l'Intergroupe/Secretariat of the Intergroup/Sekretariat der Intergroup
Tel.: 02/508 30 30
Fax: 02/626 95 01
uef.european.federalists@skynet.be