The EU and its institutions

He is known for asking tough questions, but this time it will be your opportunity to question him. Nigel Farage, the leader of the eurosceptic Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group, will chat with EP's Facebook fans on Wednesday 8 February at 1600 CET.

The proposal for a financial transaction tax will be discussed on Monday when financial experts appear before the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. The tax is being touted as a way to discourage rampant speculation capable of disrupting the economy. The Committee will also hold its first debate on draft legislation to combat market abuse, insider dealing and market manipulation.

MEPs singled out employment and the relaunch of the economy as being vital to the EU's future in a debate about the results of Monday's European Council meeting. Commission President José Manuel Barroso and EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy came under fire from MEPs across the political spectrum for failing to do enough to kick-start Europe's economy and help create jobs.

Last week all of parliament's committees met in Brussels to elect chairs and vice-chairs for the coming two and a half years until the end of the current legislature in June 2014.

The financial crisis continued to dominate as MEPs gave their feedback on the fiscal union summit that took place 30 January. They also discussed the sanctions against Iran approved by Council on 23 January in question time with High Representative Catherine Ashton as well as other foreign policy issues.

Attending an EU summit for the first time as EP President, Martin Schulz Monday told leaders that the European Parliament must be involved in decisions on resolving the euro crisis. He also warned that austerity measures alone are not sufficient to solve Europe's problems but must be accompanied by investment in growth and jobs.

MEPs will discuss the results of Monday's summit on the crisis and the draft treaty on fiscal union when they meet in plenary on Wednesday. Also on the Brussels plenary agenda, Iran's nuclear programme and the situation in Russia as well as so called stability bonds and the future of the Daphne programme to protect women and children from violence.

In his first week as European Parliament President Martin Schulz met leaders of the other EU's Institutions, when the fiscal pact was one of the key items under discussion. He met European Council President Herman Van Rompuy Wednesday and Commission President José Manuel Barroso Tuesday.

Over 64,000 visitors interested in how the EU and Parliament work have experienced the Parlamentarium since Europe's largest parliamentary visitors centre opened 100 days ago. The European Parliament's visitors centre allows children and adults to discover Europe's history and how the decisions that influence our daily lives are made in a modern and interactive way.

In the first full week of committee meetings of 2012, MEPs will elect chairs and vice-chairs. Among big ticket items on the agenda this week are: hearings on sovereign debt and credit rating agencies, a discussion on maritime safety following the Concordia accident and defective silicon breast implants. Bill Gates will be in parliament Tuesday to talk about the impact of effective aid.