2014 Institutional

changes

Ursula Pachl / Johannes Kleis

General Assembly

Brussels

14-15 November 2013

I) Europeanisation of the 2014 elections.

Some facts and figures:

•8th direct EP elections.

•Election Day: between 22 and 25 May 2014.

•Moved from June to May due to election of new Commission President.

• The precise day of elections is set by MS - in some cases, this has yet to be done formally for 2014.

• The official election result: after poll closes in last MS on Sunday 25 May 2014.

(Source of the infograph: European Parliament)

Main innovation - Lisbon Treaty:

• the EP elects the EC President. • On the basis of a proposal from the European Council.

• Taking into account the elections to the EP (Article 17(7) TEU).

This will apply for the first time for the 2014 elections.

This means:

•Winning party’s candidate will be put forward by the European Council.

•EP elects this candidate by a majority of MEPs.

•BUT: the reality may look different: coalitions ? / compromise candidates etc.

March 2013 Commission recommendation:

• European political parties should make known their candidate for the Commission presidency.

• National parties should make known their affiliation to European political parties.

• Election broadcasts should feature the candidate that party is backing for the Commission presidency.

New European Parliament 2014-2019

Number of MEPs

•Current EP: 766 MEPs (754 + 12 for Croatia which joined in 2013).

•After the 2014 elections: reduced to 751 MEPs (Article 14(2) TEU).

First plenary will take place in the first week of July 2014

Composition of the new EP

•“Anti-European” parties expected to gain 50 – 150 MEPs.

•High turn-over rate of MEPs expected: only 1/3 MEPS likely to stay.

II) European Commission

• 28 new Commissioners and their cabinets.

• President of the Commission will be nominated by the Council, then elected by EP

• Re-structuring of General Directorates?

• How will consumer protection policy and - law be structured ? ( now split between DG SANCO and DG JUST)

Institutional timeline in 2014 source of infograph: Burson Marsteller

Key points in timeline 2014

22-25 May: European Parliament elections

XX June: new MEPS meet

26-27 June: European Council nominates Commission President

01-03 July: First Plenary Session

14-17 July: Plenary session -> election of Commission President

August: Commission President selects team with national leaders

22 September to 01 October: EP hearings of Commissioners designate

20-23 October: EP Plenary session – approval of new European Commission

01 November: European Commisison takes office

01 December: New President of the European Council takes office

Election manifesto: Timeline

• December 2012: Communications expert meeting• January 2013: Application EC grant•May 2013: Decision EC & discussion executive on

approach• July/August 2013: Member survey key issues• September 2013: Executive meeting & discussion

approach• October 2013: Information to executive about topics &

structure

Election manifesto: Structure

1. Consumer policy in Europe – setting the scene– Short analysis past 5 years– BEUC Vision: Single Market = partial reality

2. Consumer priorities for EP legislature– 4 priorities with focus on flagship campaigns– Financial services: Deliver products & services consumers really need– Consumer rights: Consumers deserve durable goods– Digital rights: Online discrimination– Food: Trust your meat

3. TTIP– Our yardstick, Transparency, Investor-State

4. Sustainability5. Where should the consumer stand in 2019

04/22/23 14

Election manifesto: Actions

• Text to members => begin December• Publication by BEUC =>

March• Presentation to key MEP

=> March – May• EP election debate =>

before or after elections• Bug push to new MEPS =>

July

www.beuc.eu – consumers@beuc.eu