26 April 1995

Doc. 7296

MOTION FOR AN ORDER on the role of political groups in the Assembly

presented by Mrs FISCHER, Germany, EPP and others

      Political groups have been recognised by the Assembly since 1964 (Resolution 271) and the relevant provisions are to be found in Rule 41 of the Rules of Procedure.

      Over the years, their prerogatives and role in the activities of the Assembly have steadily grown and this has been confirmed by the increase in the annual grant allocated to them and by the setting up of the Ad Hoc Committee of Chairmen of Political Groups as a consultative and advisory body of the President of the Assembly.

      The participation of political groups in the work of the Assembly has more recently been reinforced by Resolution 1043 (1994) which provides that henceforth the Chairmen of political groups or their representatives are ex officio members of the Bureau and the Standing Committee with voting rights.

      This development will also lead to an enhancement and guarantee of political pluralism within the Assembly.

      Accordingly, the Assembly would like Rule 41 of the Rules of Procedure to be changed to reflect more accurately the increasing role of political groups in the life of the Assembly and calls upon its relevant committee to submit a report on this subject.

Signed:

(see overleaf)

Signed:

Fischer, Germany, EPP

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Berg, Norway, EDG

Schieder, Austria, SOC

Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Finsberg, United Kingdom, EDG

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Hardy, United Kingdom, SOC

Korakas, Greece, UEL

Bársony, Hungary, SOC

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left