12. Membership of Parliament

The Swedish authorities had given notice of the appointment of Olle Schmidt to replace Cecilia Malmström as Member of Parliament with effect from 19.10.2006.

Pursuant to Rule 3(2), as his credentials had not been verified or a ruling had not been given on any dispute, Olle Schmidt had taken his seat in Parliament and on its bodies and would enjoy all the rights attaching thereto, provided that he had previously signed a declaration stating that he did not hold an office incompatible with that of Member of the European Parliament.