Brussels, 26/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the report of David Martin (S&D, United Kingdom), on 25 November , the EP has adapted its internal regulation on the Lisbon Treaty, which will enter into force on 1 December. The most important changes involve: “co-decision procedure”, which is systematically replaced by “ordinary legislative procedure”; the increased number of MEPs to 751. In total, there will be 18 new MEPs from 12 member states joining the assembly following the entry into force of the Treaty but only once a protocol amending the treaty and confirming the additional MEPs, has been signed and ratified by all member states. This protocol could be signed very quickly but its ratification will definitely not take place before the next round of enlargement (Croatia and Iceland in 2011/2010?). In the meantime, designate MEPs will not have the right to vote but will have observer status; the new budgetary procedure which puts the EP on an equal footing with the Council. Furthermore, the procedures nominating the President of the Commission have been changed: the EP now elects the president of the Commission, designated by the European Council at majority voting (“absolute majority” instead of “simple majority”, which was the case under the Treaty of Nice). Other changes to the regulation were made in connection with the legislative impact of the Charter of Fundamental Rights on the EP's right to propose amendments to the treaty and the increasing influence of national parliaments. (H.B. /transl.fl)