Finally, Roberta Metsola puts an end to MEPs’ losses.

Measures to stop an empty one from being observed and to stay in plenary receive Brussels and Strasbourg. The European Parliament has often received criticism of the empty Chamber during discussions, with MEPs addressing an almost empty room. However, this can be changed soon with an experiment that will begin next week and aims to increase Members’ presence in the discussions. CORVERSE According to an internal email leaked in the following week, two debates during the plenary session in Strasbourg would not have published their programmes, which means that Members of the European Parliament should remain in the Chamber throughout the debate, instead of leaving and returning only when their turn comes to speak. The aim of the experiment is to change the tradition that wants MEPs to enter the Chamber only at the time of their own speech and leave immediately afterwards. With the new system, MEPs who wish to speak should monitor the entire debate and remain vigilant, as their speeches will be announced on the spot by the President or Vice-President who will be running the meeting. CORVERSE Whether this experiment leads to permanent changes in the behaviour of MEPs remains to be seen, but it is an interesting approach to dealing with one of the long-term reviews of the functioning of the institution, comments on the report. “Step-by-step, we need changes to increase participation and make discussions more fun,” said Damian Beselager, a central-left Volt MEP. The initiative was agreed by Parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola, and the heads of political groups during a closed meeting. It is supported by a group of 60 young MEPs who are trying to renew the institution. The first test will concern the discussion on the enforcement of the Digital Services Act. It will focus on issues such as Elon Musk’s intervention, owner of X and advisor to newly elected US President Donald Trump, in misinformation cases and interventions in European elections. The second debate will be about the December 27 EU leaders Summit Wednesday. The group of young MEPs has submitted 10 proposals to improve participation and effective interaction in discussions. These include the introduction of mandatory participation quotas by political group, the encouragement of spontaneous reactions to speeches and the abolition of the strict order in the first series of the Chamber, which are only intended to be for the leadership of the groups to date. At the same time, young MEPs are planning to use the Blue Cards system to add vitality to the debates, asking direct questions to speakers and promoting a more interactive approach.