Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

The first plenary session of the tenth parliamentary term took place in Strasbourg from 16 to 19 July 2024. The Members of the new Parliament (sitting from 2024 to 2029) elected certain of their peers to the most important offices in Parliament – the President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. During this session, Members also decided on the numerical strength of the standing committees, sub-committees and delegations. They held a debate on the need for the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, and then adopted a resolution reiterating support for Ukraine and condemning, in particular, Russia’s recent attacks on the country. However, the most discussed business was the debate with the candidate for President of the European Commission, and Members’ subsequent vote to confirm Ursula von der Leyen as President-elect for a new five-year mandate.

Election of the President of the European Parliament

In a secret ballot (under Rule 16 of the revised Rules of Procedure), the newly elected Members first voted for a new President. Candidates could be proposed by a political group (or individual Members amounting to 1/20th of the whole Parliament). The outgoing President, Roberta Metsola (EPP, Malta), was elected for a second two‑and‑a‑half year mandate, on the first ballot, by 562 votes of 623 valid votes cast, with only one other candidate standing (Irene Montero, The Left, Spain).

Election of Parliament’s Vice-Presidents and Quaestors

Members then elected 14 Vice-Presidents, in two rounds of voting. The Vice-Presidents, who also serve a two-and-a-half year term, chair debates when the President cannot, with each Vice-President also responsible for specific aspects of parliamentary business. Members also elected Parliament’s five Quaestors, who are responsible for administrative and financial matters that directly concern Members and their working conditions. With the President and Vice-Presidents, the Quaestors make up Parliament’s Bureau, although the latter participate in an advisory capacity only.

New parliamentary committees

Before Parliament’s committees can hold their constitutive meetings, the Conference of Presidents (of the political groups) proposes the number of Members to sit on each committee. Members approved the proposal of the numbers to sit on the 20 committees and 4 sub-committees as well as the 48 standing delegations (under Rules 212 and 229). The Members appointed to each committee by the political groups (plus non-attached Members) were announced on 19 July. The committees should then elect their chairs and vice-chairs during meetings planned for 23 July. These appointments are generally the subject of an informal agreement among the political groups, using the d’Hondt method, and are expected to reflect the plurality of Member States and a fair representation of political views.

Election of the President of the European Commission

While the majority of EU leaders endorsed a second mandate for Ursula von der Leyen during the 27 June European Council meeting, she still needed the support of an absolute majority of Members of Parliament – at least 361). Members confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President-elect, by secret ballot with 401 votes for, 284 against and 15 abstentions.

Ursula von der Leyen presented her priorities for the next term in office, then debated with Members. These priorities will set the course for the whole term, against which Members scrutinise the Commission’s progress. Together, the new Commission President and EU governments will now propose the candidates for Commissioner posts. Parliament organises hearings of the Commissioners-designate, so that Members from the relevant parliamentary committees can assess their suitability. Members will then decide whether to approve the Commission as a whole at a plenary session later in the year.

This ‘at a glance’ note is intended to review some of the highlights of the plenary part-session, and notably to follow up on key dossiers identified by EPRS. It does not aim to be exhaustive. For more detailed information on specific files, please see other EPRS products, notably our ‘EU legislation in progress’ briefings, and the plenary minutes.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – July 2024‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.