Registration starts 18.30

Event will begin promptly at 18.45

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The European Parliament elections in May will have huge consequences. The world’s second largest democratic electorate will choose among a wider array of political parties and movements than ever. They will elect a Parliament that will have an immediate and direct influence on the composition of the incoming Commission. The new Parliament will want to put its own stamp on the new Commission’s programme, and will largely set the parameters for the next five years of European legislation. Yet the outcome of the election cannot be predicted with any certainty. Where, in 2019, is the centre of gravity in European politics? In the event of a more fragmented Parliament, where can a functioning majority be found?

Panellists:

Reinhard Bütikofer, MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany)

Mr Bütikofer has been an MEP since 2009. He is Co-Chair of the European Green Party (EGP); member of the EP Committee of Industry, Research and Energy; substitute on the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Vice-Chair, EP Delegation for Relations with China; member, Delegation to the USA; substitute, ASEAN Delegation. Mr. Bütikofer was the Secretary General of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (1998-2002) and co-chair from 2002 to 2008.

John O’Brennan, Professor, National University of Ireland – Maynooth

Jean Monnet Chair in European integration, and director of the Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies. His work focuses on European Union institutions and politics, and, specifically on the process and politics of the EU’s Enlargement policy. He also works on the Irish relationship with the European Union and the challenges for Ireland arising from Brexit. He is [vice-President of the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies and] a member of the Irish government’s Brexit Stakeholder Group.

Heather Grabbe, Director, Open Society European Policy Institute in Brussels.

She has served in the cabinet of Commissioner Rehn (2004-9), responsible for the Balkans and Turkey. Before that, she was deputy director of the Centre for European Reform, London, and published widely on EU issues, including enlargement. Her publications include Defending EU Values in Poland and Hungary (with Stefan Lehne, 2017, Carnegie Europe).