In recent weeks, talks have been intense in the European Parliament, within and between the political groups.
On the eve of unprecedented negotiations – in which deep links will be unravelled in order to identify, as a matter of urgency, a new framework for the relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom – MEPs will have to define the right balance between democratic control and effectiveness of the negotiations.
The Conference of Presidents has therefore opted to set up a UK Coordination Group, chaired by the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), David McAllister (EPP, Germany), which will work mainly on coordination with Michel Barnier’s working group at the Commission and the EU Council’s working party on the United Kingdom (see separate article).
The other permanent members of this group will be the chairmen of the International Trade Committee (INTA), Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), Nathalie Loiseau (RE, France), the rapporteurs of the INTA, Christophe Hansen (EPP, Luxembourg), and AFET, David McAllister to date, and one representative from each political group.
The Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs, Antonio Tajani (EPP, Italy), is also expected be part of this coordinating group, as should the members of the former steering group. The group was made up of Guy Verhofstadt (RE, Belgium), Danuta Hübner (EPP, Poland), Pedro Silva Pereira (S&D, Portugal), Philippe Lamberts (Greens/EFA, Belgium), Martin Schirdewan (GUE/NGL, Germany) and Antonio Tajani.
Other follow-up groups will probably be set up. Thus, a follow-up group on the United Kingdom will accompany the technical dimension of the negotiations. Open to all MEPs, this group will be chaired by INTA rapporteur Christophe Hansen. The rhythm and format of its meetings have not yet been decided at the time of writing. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel and Camille-Cerise Gessant)