At the Welcome village, welcoming new MPs

(B2) How is the arrival of new MPs going? This subject has been controversial recently with the arrival-exclusion of elected Catalan deputies.* We have redone the route

MEPs first present themselves at a first stand located in the Altiero-Spinelli building, where two ushers welcome them below a “Welcome Village 2019-2024” banner which points the way. They direct them to the József Antall building. Then begins a course in seven stands, quite classic in itself. A bit like when you arrive in a new company.

First of all, it's the fundamental step, you have to give your name to a bailiff — that day, it's a bailiff — so that he can check that they have indeed been elected, and are on the list. of the European Parliament. A phosphorescent label (which is colored once the day has passed) is then attached to their jacket. It will allow them to circulate in the parliament for the day, while waiting for the temporary badge.

On the way then for a succession of stands where the basics of the future MEP will be explained to them. Expected duration: 2 hours... Or even less for regulars or those in a hurry. It should be noted that this process is to be completed for newly elected deputies as well as former members who are re-elected and know the premises.

First stand: the course. A parliamentary employee quickly explains the whole process they will follow and answers the first questions if necessary.

Second stand: photography. Indispensable for making the temporary badge (hard, secure), but also for parliamentary documentation (who's who, website, etc.).

Third stand: a form for all personal information, marital status, address, phone details, bank details, etc.

Fourth stand: IT (in other words the internet, computing). They receive a provisional e-mail address from parliament, are given an explanation of the intranet system... and win an iPad along the way.

Fifth stand: finance. Essential point. What will be their compensation, how to hire assistants... And above all the famous declaration of financial interests to be completed in as much detail as possible.

Sixth stand: security. It is the obtaining of the precious sesame, the provisional badge of deputy. Plasticized, secure, it will allow future deputies to circulate while waiting for the final badge which will be given to them once all the credentials have been verified (1), a priori from the beginning of July.

Seventh stand: mobility and transport, with advice on where to stay in Brussels or how to get to Strasbourg, travel for plenary sessions requires.

And here we go for five years of legislature...

(Coline Traverson, st, and NGV)

(1) Before taking up their seat, new Members of the European Parliament must declare in writing that they do not hold a position incompatible with that of Member of the European Parliament. A declaration to be made, according to the notes of the European Parliament, no later than six days before the first constitutive meeting from July 2. Several functions are deemed incompatible with that of a Member of the European Parliament: minister or head of a national government, elected member of a parliament of a Member State of the Union, European commissioner, judge at the Court of Justice, member of the executive board of the European Central Bank, Court of Auditors or European Investment Bank, etc. European civil servants or members of the bodies set up by the Union Treaties to manage Community funds cannot be MEPs either.

* Read : Catalan separatists not quite welcome in the European Parliament (V2)