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Discovery. We took the first steps in the European Parliament with Patrick Louis, MP MPF

(B2 archives) The first feeling of Patrick Louis, elected MPF in the great south-east, on arriving at the European Parliament, is for architecture. " It's not very beautiful, a bit complicated, it's a bit difficult to find your way around ».

Another astonishment Everything is done in a foreign language But that doesn't harm efficiency. At the meeting of his group, "Independence and Democracy", led by the charismatic Jens-Peter Bonde and which brings together a number of eurosceptics, " I have was struck by the working method, efficient, fast, and above all the freedom of speech he adds. As for the canteen, the restaurant U — he jokes — is of good quality and cheap. For 11 euros, I ate a very good fish ».

Even the formalities of reception will not affect the beginning of enthusiasm of our small new. In this Yehudi Menuhin room, located at 1^er floor of the building, Patrick Louis must, in fact, go through the various stands. " It's kinda like a first day at college explains Robert Bray, the administrator of the Parliament, in charge of welcoming new deputies. " there is a path to follow ».

A journey of the new

1^er stop: obtain the blue badge, plastic sesame compulsory to circulate.

2^e stop: at the French stand, there is one for each language, our deputy receives a leather satchel, with the essential viaticum: the treaties, the rules of procedure, a very useful little practical vademecum (restaurant, crèche, sports center, everything is explained…) and also two plans, those of Strasbourg and Brussels. Essential if you want to find your way around. This is also the time to complete the various identification forms – necessary, among other things, to be paid – and the declaration of financial interest, mandatory to sit.

3^e stop: the administrative stand. It is necessary that the member tame his future status. “Social security, methods of hiring assistants”, the two main questions of Patrick Louis are those which come up most often, specifies the administrator of the Parliament.

Final formalities: the e-mail address — everyone can now write to the MEP (plouis (a) europarl.eu.int) — And the official photo. So watch out for hairstyles and clothes! This photo will be everywhere.

Happy !

In the end, the deputy is rather happy. " I am struck by the friendliness and availability of the officials confides Patrick Louis, a touch of pride in his voice. Last little comment as an aside I am amazed at the abundance of money. I was told it wasn't bad. Objectively, it's more than not bad, especially the side appendices. This leads me to accomplish all the better the mission that the people have given me ". Five years left to prove it...

Nicolas Gros Verheyde