This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8316354.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Barroso faces EU 'question time' | Barroso faces EU 'question time' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, has faced a grilling by MEPs in a first question and answer session in Strasbourg. | The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, has faced a grilling by MEPs in a first question and answer session in Strasbourg. |
| The Q&A session was based on Prime Minister's Questions in the British House of Commons. | The Q&A session was based on Prime Minister's Questions in the British House of Commons. |
| Representatives of the parliament's main groupings each had the chance to ask any question they wanted. | Representatives of the parliament's main groupings each had the chance to ask any question they wanted. |
| MEPs are hoping the sessions will liven up the parliament's proceedings and add a touch of spontaneity. | MEPs are hoping the sessions will liven up the parliament's proceedings and add a touch of spontaneity. |
| As much as they may complain about the "Punch and Judy" nature of Prime Minister's Question Time, British MPs know the weekly session at Westminster is envied in many other countries. | As much as they may complain about the "Punch and Judy" nature of Prime Minister's Question Time, British MPs know the weekly session at Westminster is envied in many other countries. |
| Elements of theatre | Elements of theatre |
| This Q&A session in the European Parliament was the first of around 12 to take place every year - each time MEPs meet in Strasbourg. | This Q&A session in the European Parliament was the first of around 12 to take place every year - each time MEPs meet in Strasbourg. |
| Isn't this a rather wonderful organisation for retired, clapped-out ex-premiers? Nigel FarageUK Independence Party MEPs relish first question time | |
| The format means Nigel Farage, head of the UK Independence Party, and of the Independence/ Democracy group in the European Parliament, will play a regular role. | The format means Nigel Farage, head of the UK Independence Party, and of the Independence/ Democracy group in the European Parliament, will play a regular role. |
| Mr Farage has welcomed the move, saying that in the past the parliament has been far too sterile. But he admits that it is difficult to get the element of theatre seen in the UK House of Commons. | Mr Farage has welcomed the move, saying that in the past the parliament has been far too sterile. But he admits that it is difficult to get the element of theatre seen in the UK House of Commons. |
| "You've got 22 official languages, that's the first problem," said Mr Farage. | "You've got 22 official languages, that's the first problem," said Mr Farage. |
| During the session, his question to Mr Barroso was: "Isn't this a rather wonderful organisation for retired, clapped-out ex-premiers?" | During the session, his question to Mr Barroso was: "Isn't this a rather wonderful organisation for retired, clapped-out ex-premiers?" |
| After the Q&A, Mr Barroso explained why there had not been much of the sparring he had hoped to see. | After the Q&A, Mr Barroso explained why there had not been much of the sparring he had hoped to see. |
| "It's extremely difficult for me to put all my arguments in one minute answers", he said. "Especially because most of the time I'm not speaking my own language." | "It's extremely difficult for me to put all my arguments in one minute answers", he said. "Especially because most of the time I'm not speaking my own language." |
| Mr Barroso's spokesman admitted the sessions would not quite rival the drama of Prime Minister's Questions. | Mr Barroso's spokesman admitted the sessions would not quite rival the drama of Prime Minister's Questions. |
| But the hope is that it will increase accountability - and perhaps help some MEPs achieve a more prominent place in the news. | But the hope is that it will increase accountability - and perhaps help some MEPs achieve a more prominent place in the news. |