We will follow the same rules as other MEU, which are also very similar to the Models of the United Nations' rules. All the information about the rules will be given to the participants once they are confirmed. And don't worry, on the first day (the 18th) the rules will be explained for everyone and there will be some preliminary activities just for giving you the time of understanding and practicing them.

 

Just for giving you some ideas by now: 

 

The European Parliament and the Council will debate the same topic, but on different moments. First, the EP will propose and vote amendments to the original proposal of the directive; then, the Council will receive the amended text and will have time to accept, amend or reject it. If the Council amends the proposal of the Parliament, the text will go back to the Parliament and then again to the Council one last time. This creates several opportunities for compromise between both institutions.

 

Negotiation between parties and between countries will be continuous, but negotiations between the EP and the Council are also of interest because they can both block each other's amendments. Bear that in mind, especially the different majorities that are requiered in every case.

 

The European Commission has the power to amend the text at every stage of the procedure, so do not neglect to refer to the Commissaires to know what they think about the changes that you are proposing.

 

Everyone will have the chance of speaking during the sessions, you will just have to ask the Chair to put you in the speakers' list. But there is no moment in which you will be asked to speak if you don't want to. So if you want to enter the debate, you can; if you don't want you, you don't have to.

There will be "faction meetings" once in a while in the EP, so that each political group (Conservatives, Socialists, Greens...) can decide in private which strategy they should follow and to write down their proposals for amendments.

Both journalists and lobbyists will have access to the plenary sessions, but they are encouraged to use any moment (coffee breaks, lunch breaks, etc.) to "attack" their targets (asking for an interview, trying to convince some MP to vote in favour of this or that...).