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Amendments to the Rules of Procedure in order to ensure the functioning of Parliament in extraordinary circumstances

TA-9-2020-0380 · P9_TA(2020)0380 · PE654.009

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Parliament adopted amendments to its Rules of Procedure to ensure it can keep working in extraordinary circumstances. A new Title XIIIa and Rules 237a to 237d let the President, with the Conference of Presidents, adopt extraordinary measures, remote participation and multi-room sittings. The amendments enter into force on 1 January 2021 and apply from 18 January 2021, so the President and the Conference of Presidents can prepare a decision under new Rule 237a(2) in advance.

Key points

  1. Parliament decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as set out in the text.
  2. It states that the Covid-19 pandemic showed the Rules need more developed procedures for the unlimited functioning of Parliament in different types of extraordinary circumstances.
  3. It underlines the importance of temporary measures adopted by its President and governing bodies during the crisis, saying there were no alternatives to guarantee continuity of Parliament's business under the Treaties.
  4. It stresses that those temporary measures were fully justified and ensured the validity of all votes taken while they applied.
  5. It recalls the importance of reasonable accommodation for Members with disabilities and their staff during extraordinary circumstances.
  6. It considers the amendments should be adopted by the alternative electronic voting system under the current temporary measures.
  7. New Rule 237a defines extraordinary circumstances as exceptional and unforeseeable situations beyond Parliament's control that hinder it from carrying out its duties, and lets the President, with the Conference of Presidents' approval, apply extraordinary measures.
  8. New Rule 237b lets the President, with the Conference of Presidents' approval, adopt measures to facilitate participation of Members or a political group when the political balance is severely impaired, aiming only at remote participation.
  9. New Rule 237c sets a remote participation regime ensuring Members can exercise their mandate, vote individually and in person, use ordinary, roll call and secret ballots, with a uniform voting system and technology-neutral, secure electronic means.
  10. New Rule 237d allows a part-session or sitting to be held in more than one meeting room, which together count as the Chamber, with the President able to set rules to respect physical distancing.

Who is affected

  • Members of the European Parliament: can participate and vote remotely or in separate rooms under the new rules.
  • The President and the Conference of Presidents: may adopt extraordinary measures and decide on remote participation.
  • Members with disabilities and their staff: reasonable accommodation is to be ensured during extraordinary circumstances.
  • Political groups: may request measures if their members cannot take part in proceedings.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 January 2021: date the amendments enter into force.
  • 18 January 2021: date from which the amendments apply.
  • five days: period after which a President's urgent decision lapses unless approved by the Conference of Presidents.