Nikki's response to the programme of the Danish presidency of the council of the European Union 2012

The European Parliament today welcomed Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt (pictured) to the chamber this morning following the presentation of the programme of the Danish Presidency of the council of the European Union 2012. If you would like to read in full the 62 page document, it is available on the following link:

http://eu2012.dk/en/EU-and-the-Presidency/About-the-Presidency/~/media/Files/Presidency%20programme/EU%20Presidency_Programme_UK_Final%20Web_22_12.ashx

Although yesterday we saw the appointment of the new president of the Parliament in the shape of Martin Schulz, Denmark are now taking their turn in being the Chair of the European Council.

The Presidency of the Council

Taken from http://www.consilium.europa.eu/council?lang=en

The EU's 27 Member States take it in turn to chair the Council for a period of six months each. During this six-month period, the Presidency chairs meetings at every level, proposes guidelines and draws up the compromises needed for the Council to take decisions.
In the interests of continuity of Council business, the six-monthly presidencies work together closely in groups of three. These three-Presidency teams draw up a joint programme of Council work over an 18-month period.
Only one Council configuration is not chaired by the six-monthly presidency: the Foreign Affairs Council, which, since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, has been chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Since 1 December 2009 this post has been held by Ms Catherine Ashton. Roughly twenty working parties in the foreign affairs field also have a permanent chairman appointed by the High Representative.

Further information on the Council's role within the European Union can be found on http://www.consilium.europa.eu/council?lang=en

Following the presentation of the programme for Danish Presidency, MEP's were invited to discuss what was in the programme. 

 text of my speech here

European Parliament to welcome in new President; Martin Schulz

I tweeted this morning about the news that will filter out of the European Parliament today:

Parliament voting for a new president, but it is a done deal behind the scenes. Schulz will win,voting is just window dressing in the EU

Current president Jerzy Buzek will finish his term in the Parliament, with Schulz taking over the role for the next 30 month stint.

Schulz has been an MEP since 1994 and is planning to make his role more political.

The whole notion that this is being voted on is nothing short of farcical. Schulz's appointment as President is guaranteed due to a deal being brokered between two of the EP's biggest groups - The European People's Party (EPP) and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D)

The two groups hold enough MEP's to be able to form a majority to assure Schulz's win. The agreement meant that the five year period was split down the middle, with the outgoing Jerzy Busek taking the first 30 months and incoming Schulz taking the last 30 months.

Mr Schulz is being opposed by two MEPs, Nirj Deva and Diana Wallis, but it seems highly unlikly that they have any chance of being voted in today due to the strength of this deal.

It is also interesting that Mr Schulz was a vocal supporter of Cathy Ashton, someone I often debate with in Parliament. Schulz's approval of Cathy Ashton can be seen on this link http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/gpes/public/detail.htm?id=133315&section=NER&category=NEWS&request_locale=EN