The COVID-19 crisis poses a particular problem for parliamentary democracy: internally, the European Parliament needs to adapt to a sudden process of digitalisation and remote participation; externally, the crisis disrupts legislative processes and the capacity to shape policy. Therefore, the COVID-19 crisis is a test to the institutional resilience of the European Parliament and its capacity to play a relevant role. This webinar offers an opportunity to discuss how the digitalisation of the EP has affected internal procedures and the role of different actors – from MEPs to EP staff. It also offers an opportunity to reflect about how the lockdown has shifted the position of the EP in the inter-institutional triangle and how it might affect its parliamentary role in the long term. This is particularly important in view of the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe.

Speakers:

Klaus Welle – Secretary General of the European Parliament

Jan Olbrycht – Member of the European Parliament, European People’s Party, Poland, co-rapporteur for the Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2021 to 2027

Adrienne Héritier – Emeritus Professor, EUI

Olivier Rozenberg – Associate Professor, Science Po Paris