Debates

Thursday, 23 March 2006 - Brussels

11.13. European political parties (vote)

- Before the vote

  Jo Leinen (PSE), rapporteur. – (DE) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, this House has provided a major impetus to the development of European political parties. We now have 10 party families, which shows the variety of our political culture. This report marks the start of a new stage that is to simplify the work of these parties.

European parties are a necessary part of European democracy, and we hope, above all, that the parties nominate top candidates for the office of Commission President before the next European elections, so that the public has the choice between personalities and programmes and is able to participate in deciding what kind of Europe it wants.

(Applause)

I should like to thank the party Chairman and Secretary-General for their important suggestions. This budget heading is one of the few for which Parliament itself is responsible, and so I would also thank the Bureau and the administration of this House for their truly good management of this delicate budget heading for the European parties. I would ask the House to adopt the report.

(Applause from the left)

- After the vote on the entire motion for a resolution

  Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE). – Mr President, could you tell us whether any Members of this House declared a financial interest before voting on the previous report?

  President. – To my knowledge, no Member has made a declaration.

I will remind you of the rule: we have a special register with which to declare once and for all any financial interests, thus obviating the need to declare any possible financial interests at every debate. Therefore, if you want to avoid any disagreement, complete the register properly.