Understanding the European Parliament
2026-11-20T08:00:00+00:00
2026-11-20T15:00:00+00:00
https://www.expert-europe.eu//medias/image/thumbnail_195067998769696625c3af5.png
European Parliament
1, av. du Président Schuman
Strasbourg
67070
FR
.flip-card {
perspective: 1000px;
position: relative;
}
.flip-checkbox {
display: none;
}
.flip-card-inner {
position: relative;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
transition: transform 0.6s;
transform-style: preserve-3d;
}
.flip-checkbox:checked ~ .flip-card-inner {
transform: rotateY(180deg);
}
.flip-card-front,
.flip-card-back {
position: absolute;
width: 100%;
backface-visibility: hidden;
border-radius: 12px;
min-height: 320px;
}
.flip-card-front {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
justify-content: flex-start;
padding: 20px 15px;
text-align: center;
position: relative;
}
.flip-card-back {
transform: rotateY(180deg);
padding: 20px;
overflow-y: auto;
max-height: 420px;
}
.flip-card-front::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
left: 0;
width: 50px;
height: 50px;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #e8f2fc 0%, #f0f7ff 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 100%, 100% 100%, 0 0);
opacity: 1;
z-index: 0;
}
.flip-card-front label[for^="flip-"],
.flip-card-front label[for^="vip-"],
.flip-card-front label[for^="speaker-"] {
position: absolute;
bottom: 6px;
left: 10px;
color: #144379;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: 300;
cursor: pointer;
z-index: 10;
}
.close-button {
cursor: pointer;
position: absolute;
top: 15px;
right: 15px;
width: 28px;
height: 28px;
background: #144379;
color: #fff;
border-radius: 50%;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
font-size: 24px;
font-weight: 300;
transition: background 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
z-index: 10;
}
.close-button:hover {
background: #ef4444;
transform: rotate(90deg);
}
.country-flag {
position: relative;
display: inline-block;
cursor: pointer;
transition: transform 0.2s ease;
z-index: 10;
}
.country-flag:hover {
transform: scale(1.15);
z-index: 20;
}
.country-flag .tooltip {
visibility: hidden;
background: #144379 !important;
color: #ffffff !important;
text-align: center;
padding: 4px 8px;
border-radius: 4px;
position: absolute;
z-index: 100;
top: -32px;
left: 50%;
transform: translateX(-50%);
white-space: nowrap;
font-size: 9px;
font-weight: 500;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
opacity: 0 !important;
transition: opacity 0.2s ease !important;
pointer-events: none;
}
.country-flag:hover .tooltip {
visibility: visible !important;
opacity: 1 !important;
}
.party-flag {
position: relative;
display: inline-flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 4px;
line-height: 1;
cursor: pointer;
transition: transform 0.2s ease;
z-index: 10;
font-size: 0;
}
.party-flag:hover {
transform: scale(1.05);
z-index: 20;
}
.party-flag .tooltip {
visibility: hidden;
background: #144379 !important;
color: #ffffff !important;
text-align: center;
padding: 4px 8px;
border-radius: 4px;
position: absolute;
z-index: 100;
top: -38px;
left: 50%;
transform: translateX(-50%);
white-space: normal;
max-width: 150px;
line-height: 1.3;
font-size: 9px;
font-weight: 500;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
opacity: 0 !important;
transition: opacity 0.2s ease !important;
pointer-events: none;
}
.party-flag:hover .tooltip {
visibility: visible !important;
opacity: 1 !important;
}
.social-icon {
transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
}
.social-icon:hover {
transform: translateY(-3px);
box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
}
.logo-link img {
transition: transform 0.2s ease, filter 0.2s ease;
}
.logo-link:hover img {
transform: scale(1.1);
filter: brightness(1.1);
}
.bio-content-mep strong {
color: #144379;
font-size: 16px;
display: block;
margin-bottom: 15px;
text-align: center;
font-weight: 700;
}
.bio-section-title {
font-size: 11px;
color: #64748b;
font-weight: 700;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
margin: 16px 0 10px 0;
padding-bottom: 6px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #e8edf4;
text-align: left;
}
.bio-content-vip strong {
color: #92400e;
font-size: 16px;
display: block;
margin-bottom: 15px;
text-align: center;
font-weight: 700;
padding-bottom: 10px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #fbbf24;
}
.bio-content-vip p {
margin-bottom: 12px;
line-height: 1.6;
text-align: justify;
font-size: 13px;
color: #78350f;
}
.bio-content-speaker strong {
color: #144379;
font-size: 16px;
display: block;
margin-bottom: 15px;
text-align: center;
font-weight: 700;
padding-bottom: 10px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #144379;
}
.bio-content-speaker p {
margin-bottom: 12px;
line-height: 1.6;
text-align: justify;
font-size: 13px;
color: #374151;
}
OFFICIAL EP EVENTUnderstanding the European ParliamentDemocracy in Action - How Your Voice Shapes Europe📅 Date:Thursday, 20 November 2026🕒 Time:09:00 – 16:00 CET📍 Location:Hemicycle – European Parliament, StrasbourgAbout the EventJoin us for an in-depth exploration of the European Parliament's role in shaping policies that affect around 450 million EU citizens. This comprehensive event will demystify the legislative process, explain how Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent citizens' interests, and showcase the Parliament's crucial position within the EU institutional framework.From the election of Members to the adoption of EU legislation, participants will gain a complete understanding of parliamentary democracy at the European level. The event features interactive sessions, expert insights, and practical examples of how the Parliament influences everyday life across Europe.How the European Parliament worksThe European Parliament, the only directly elected EU institution, is the beating heart of European democracy. It represents the interests of EU citizens. MEPs debate, amend and pass laws which have a direct impact on the lives of some 450 million Europeans. Find out more about how the European Parliament works and watch the video below.Hosted by+Roberta METSOLA MEP Malta President of the European Parliament Partit Nazzjonalista Roberta METSOLADelegations CHAIR DMED ×Programme09:00Welcome Address: The Parliament as the Voice of EU CitizensRoberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament09:30Session 1: From Citizens to MEPs - The Electoral ProcessAlessandro Chiocchetti, Secretary-General, European ParliamentTopics: European elections, electoral systems, proportional representation, and mandate allocation10:30Coffee BreakNetworking in the Astrid Lulling Lounge10:45Session 2: The Legislative Power - How Laws Are MadeProf. Jean-Claude Mercier, Constitutional Law Expert, Université de StrasbourgTopics: Ordinary legislative procedure, co-decision, committee work, and plenary voting11:45Session 3: Trilogues in Practice - Negotiating with Council and CommissionMaria Santos Silva, Head of Interinstitutional Relations Unit, European ParliamentInteractive session with real case studies including the AI Act and Digital Markets Act12:30Lunch BreakBuffet lunch at the EP restaurant with opportunity to tour the Hemicycle13:30Session 4: Parliamentary Committees - The Engine Room of LegislationThomas O'Reilly, Head of Unit of AFCO CommitteeTopics: 20 standing committees, their mandates, rapporteurs, shadow rapporteurs, and the committee report system14:00⭐ Special Address: Europe's Future and Global ChallengesUrsula von der Leyen, President of the European CommissionTopics: Green Deal, digital transformation, economic competitiveness, and strategic autonomy14:30Session 5: Budgetary and Supervisory PowersDr. Klaus Weber, Budget Policy Analyst, EP Research ServiceTopics: Annual EU budget approval, discharge procedure, and control of EU institutions15:15Session 6: Political Groups and Coalition BuildingAnna Kowalska, Political Group AdvisorUnderstanding the political groups, ideological spectrum, and how coalitions form across national lines15:45Closing Remarks: Your Parliament, Your Voice, Your FutureRoberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament | Q&A session with participantsSpeakers
#vip-uvdl ~ .flip-card-inner .flip-card-front::before {
display: none !important;
}
#vip-uvdl ~ .flip-card-inner .close-button {
background: #fbbf24 !important;
color: #78350f !important;
}
+Special guestUrsula von der LEYENPresidentEuropean Commission Ursula von der LEYENUrsula von der Leyen has served as President of the European Commission since December 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in 2024. As Commission President, she championed the European Green Deal, the digital transformation agenda, and Europe's strategic autonomy on the world stage.×+Alessandro CHIOCCHETTISecretary-GeneralEuropean Parliament Alessandro CHIOCCHETTIAlessandro Chiocchetti has served as Secretary-General of the European Parliament since January 2023, heading an administration of over 8,000 staff. A graduate in Political Science and International Law from the University of Padua, he joined the Parliament in 1996 and built his career across legislative coordination, two Secretaries-General's cabinets, and the Presidencies of Antonio Tajani and Roberta Metsola, whose Head of Cabinet he was before his appointment.As the Parliament's most senior official, he is uniquely placed to explain how its administrative backbone supports democratic decision-making — from the organisation of plenary sessions in this very Hemicycle to the coordination of 20 standing committees and the management of the institution's annual budget.×+Jean-Claude MERCIERConstitutional Law ExpertUniversité de Strasbourg Jean-Claude MERCIERProfessor Mercier is a leading academic specialising in European constitutional law at the Université de Strasbourg. His research focuses on the distribution of legislative powers between EU institutions, and he regularly advises parliamentary committees on procedural matters.⚠️ This is a fictional character created for demonstration purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.×+Maria SANTOS SILVAInterinstitutional Relations UnitEuropean Parliament Maria SANTOS SILVAMaria Santos Silva heads the Interinstitutional Relations Unit within the European Parliament's Presidency Directorate. With extensive experience in trilogue negotiations, she has coordinated landmark legislative files including the AI Act and the Digital Markets Act.⚠️ This is a fictional character created for demonstration purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.×+Thomas O'REILLYHead of Unit, AFCO CommitteeEuropean Parliament Thomas O'REILLYThomas O'Reilly has led the secretariat of the AFCO Committee for over a decade, providing procedural and substantive expertise on constitutional and institutional affairs. He works closely with rapporteurs and shadow rapporteurs to guide complex reports through the committee stage.⚠️ This is a fictional character created for demonstration purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.×+Dr. Klaus WEBERBudget Policy AnalystEP Research Service Dr. Klaus WEBERDr. Weber is a senior analyst at the European Parliament Research Service, specialising in EU budgetary policy and financial regulation. He has authored numerous briefing papers on the multiannual financial framework and the annual budget discharge procedure.⚠️ This is a fictional character created for demonstration purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.×+Anna KOWALSKAPolitical Group AdvisorEuropean Parliament Anna KOWALSKAAnna Kowalska is a political affairs adviser with long-standing experience in the European Parliament's group structures. Her work focuses on coalition dynamics, cross-group negotiations, and the ideological mapping of the EU's political landscape across nine parliamentary groups.⚠️ This is a fictional character created for demonstration purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.×Sample event – This page is a demonstration of Expert Europe's event presentation format. All speakers, timings and programme elements are illustrative and do not correspond to a real conference.
https://www.expert-europe.eu/en/event/understanding-the-european-parliament/2026/11/20/236
