European Parliament Socialist Group fonds - European University ...

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ttl. lauth's ot tile sociAlht GrOup. ae at the !\1ropee.n P,uliamunt.
in iS nerli
• In itl rllationl witll the media wal changed radically by
direct electlone. The attitude taken Dy journalists is much mOre
~ttiYe _ they not onl¥ coyer Parliament'. part-seesions b~ a1~o
"'p01't on tM blUlin..e at tlls pOlitical groups and parliamentarY
~itte...
""eir interest
bSIle or the debate
ie not only • reflection of the importance of tho
they are folloWing but 8180 of the possibility of
action 88 the initietiye of the Socialist Group Dr
identifying' a 9i1'on
one of ito spoke....n. Consequently, the Group needs to deviss an
appropriote policy and strategy and put thees into effect.
otructure.
Aftsr the elections the Group decided to eet up tile neceseery
A working porty on the prese was created immediately after
constitution of the Socialist Group.
It organizes briefings for the
press which are held regularly at the end of group meetings.
holde part-seseion briefings in Strasbourg.
It also
Its first publication was the leaflet introducing members of the
Socialist GrQup of the European parliament, produced just after the
election.
A special edition of the EUSO Journal is currently
available. listing- all the members of the GrOUp, and this will be
regui.rly updated by the publication of addenda.
to th Ls report.
A copy is attached
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In 1979 the Socialiat Group comprised 37 membors. That tlqure ie
etill the same today, despite the fact that oincs direct election. the
number of Members has grow~ from 66 to 130 and the work of ~e
parliamentary committees, the Group itself and ita workinq parties has
mare than doubled. The Secretariat'. task has thus become mUch more
arduous.
In addition, the 8ecretar~at has been faced with extra administrative
difficultiss caussd by the shortage of staff in the parliamentary services
themselves, e.g. translation, ees.iona1 and personnel services (and by
the lack of aV'ilable premises, meeting rooms,'etc.).
Nothing ie ever perfect, but 1 should like to thank members of the
Secretariat very sincerely for the work they have done in tho difficult
conditione I have just described, whilst expressing the hope that it wili
be possible to engage further staff •• eoon ae po••ible.
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Socialiet Members haye succeeded in eneuring tbat ... n\lll1her of
committe...eetinqs are opon to the public. At their rsquest,
several cOGmitteee are holding public hearing. and the socialiet
chairmen of v.rioue committees have as a matter of COuree held pross
conferences to inform journeli.ts of tbe re.olte of their work.
.~,
Direct elections to the european Parliament haYe built up a
certain amount of public relatione potential.
The group must now
maKe the mcst of thi. and develop its pUblic image accordingly.
IIII
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I'Il/Cil/33/uo
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PB/OS/J3/BO