Exhibition
Plenary sittings are the high point of the European Parliament’s political activity and represent the culmination of the legislative work done in committees and in the political groups.
The European Parliament is the only EU institution that meets publicly. Since 1952, all debates and legislative texts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU, which is accessible to all citizens. A plenary session of Parliament was streamed for the first time in January 2002 for the election of Pat Cox as President of the European Parliament. Today, plenary sessions and committee meetings are live-streamed with interpretation into EU official languages.
Access to the debating chamber is restricted to MEPs, Members of the Commission and the Council, the Secretary-General of Parliament, members of staff whose duties require them to be there, and any person invited by the President. Members of the public and journalists may be admitted to the galleries.
Speaking time is divided among the political groups depending on the size of the group. Members can raise a blue card during debates in order to ask the MEP speaking a question. The catch-the-eye procedure also gives MEPs the chance to have their say in short, one-minute speeches. Voting by proxy is prohibited – Members must personally take part in the votes.