EU
The secrets behind Parliament's colourful calendar
The European Parliament's short summer recess will be over after this week, so it is back to business. The colours of the Parliamentary calendar illustrate what's on MEPs' schedule for that day. Find out what activities the different colours indicate.
Blue – political groups
In weeks that are marked blue MEPs meet with other members from their political group. The political groups in Parliament bring together MEPs coming from different national political parties, sharing the same political stance and affiliations. To establish a political group, 25 different MEPs from at least seven different member states are needed. The Parliament has started this term with seven political groups.
During the political groups’ meeting, MEPs discuss their positions on proposed legislation, to be debated and voted on during plenary. They scrutinise reports from Parliamentary committees, table amendments and agree on a group position.
Pink – committee meetings
Each MEP works in one or more parliamentary committees, dedicated to a particular area of European policy, ranging from foreign affairs to economic issues, equality, education and culture.
Pink weeks are dedicated to committee meetings, the forum where MEPs coming from different political groups discuss draft legislation, propose amendments, consider Commission and Council proposals and draw up reports to be presented to the plenary.
Red – plenary sessions
All this work culminates during Parliament’s plenary sessions, in Strasbourg or Brussels. Plenary sessions, marked red on the calendar, are when MEPs debate important issues, take significant decisions through votes by adopting, amending, or rejecting legislation.
The next plenary session is scheduled for 15-18 September.
Turquoise – work outside the Parliament
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