The growing influence of French MEPs

(Published in Ouest-France July 17) They chair or coordinate several committees of the new European Parliament. Where the substantive work prepares the
decisions of the European Union.

All groups combined, the French elected representatives have “assured” rather well in the European Parliament. Learning from previous experiences, they negotiated influence rather than appearance. So,
they do not have a vice-presidency of Parliament. A visible position that allows you to chair plenary sessions, but remains symbolic. On the other hand, they won four committee presidencies,
where most of the work is done: Alain Lamassoure (UMP) in the Budget, Pervenche Bérès (PS) in Employment and Social Affairs, Eva Joly (Greens) in Development and Arnaud Danjean (UMP) in
Defense and security.

And they will have some committee vice-presidencies. The green José Bové will thus be vice-president of the Agriculture commission, which promises tasty exchanges; and Corinne Lepage from the
Environment, Health, Food Protection Committee. The French have also obtained several positions as “group coordinators” within the commissions. Primary role because they give the
tempo in their political group by negotiating amendments to a legislative project. Jean-Paul Gauzès thus inherits for the EPP the coordination in the “Economy and Monetary” Committee. " We
we negotiated other positions: in agriculture, in international trade," explains Michel Barnier, the head of the UMP battalion in Strasbourg, who knows all the detours of mechanics well.
European.

Last element of influence: the legislative reports. "We have set ourselves the goal of at least one major political report per MEP", comments Catherine Trautmann, leader
French socialists.

To note. Each MP can be a member of two or even three committees, the first as a full member, the other as a substitute. In both cases, he can sit, intervene, write reports;
only difference: the vote is allowed to him only when the holder is absent.