Group leaders to decide on Borrell plans in September

Leaders of the European Parliament's political groups have decided to look again at plans proposed by President Josep Borrell for reforms of the assembly's procedures in the autumn.

During a special meeting yesterday (5 July), they agreed to try to establish by the end of September where there was consensus for reforms.

Borrell presented a package of reforms in February to make the Parliament more focused and coherent and to make its debates more interesting and relevant. These included more set-piece debates on major political and strategic issues of the day with more use of the 'catch the eye' procedure so that MEPs who are present for debates get to speak.

But Parliament sources said that there was still major opposition to Borrell's proposal to make more use of the catch the eye procedure as this would erode the power of group leaders over speakers.

Hans-Gert Pöttering, leader of the centre-right EPP-ED group, said he needed to complete consultations on reforms with his group members.

Speaking to European Voice before the meeting, Pöttering said that his group was "always open to reform" but insisted on the need for individual group members to be consulted, not just group leaders. He said the EPP-ED would have a debate on changes after the summer.

Socialist group leader Martin Schulz said that reforms to how the Parliament operates were "necessary" and that some of Borrell's proposals could be adopted. He repeated his call for a group of experts which could work for up to a year on a comprehensive reform of Parliament. But officials fear that this is just a tactic to delay any substantial discussion of reform until Borrell is out of office at the end of this year. Schulz believes that a reform of how the Parliament deals with legislation is also needed.

The Liberal Democrats' leader Graham Watson said that his groups had hoped "we might reach agreement today on two or three important reforms such as convening Parliamentary sessions on Wednesdays to hold the Commission to account".

"I hope we will be able to reach agreement in September. At today's meeting the door was not closed on reform," said Watson.

Leaders of the European Parliament's political groups have decided to look again at plans proposed by President Josep Borrell for reforms of the assembly's procedures in the autumn.

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