NEW MEPs NEED A CRASH COURSE TO BE EFFECTIVE !!!

Many candidates won elections in the European Parliament even without a basic knowledge of the office they ran for. Their names just happened to be down on the party list (Parties produce a list of candidates and electors vote for the party not the people- except in the case of independents). In any case,individuals who seek elective posts should really have studied before running for office, and not after winning the elections.

Neophyte members should gain substantial working knowledge of the theories concepts and dynamics of legislation; appreciate the value of legislation in the context of European development; and understand the dynamics of the European legislative process and management of relationships with peers, civil society organizations, and their constituents.

They should understand the roles and challenges facing the EP; the legislative process; the budget process; the role of the EP in the budget process; turning platforms into legislative Agenda; working with the EC and the Council, working with peers within the EP; communicating with constituents; introduction to parliamentary procedures, EP rules and organization of a MEP’s office; and, experiential sharing on the dynamics of legislation.

Solution

AALEP advises neophyte politicians to hire consultants who can guide them in their first few months in office.