Verification of new MEPs
The credentials of newly elected MEP credentials undergo verification to ascertain that they do not hold an office that is incompatible with being a Member of the European Ϸվ.
Examples include being a government minister or parliamentarian in an EU Member State, holding a role at the European Commission, Court of Justice of the EU, European Central Bank Board of Directors, European Court of Auditors or European Investment Bank. Active officials of EU institutions or bodies set up under the EU treaties to manage community funds cannot become MEPs either.
Once election results are official, Member States communicate the names of those who have won a seat to the EP and the President, in turn, asks the competent Member State authorities to take the necessary measures to avoid issues related to incompatibility of offices. MEPs must affirm this in writing and submit a declaration no later than six days before Ϸվ's constitutive sitting.
The Ϸվ's checks new MEP credentials ex post, making decisions based on information Member States provide. The President is made aware of the decision and informs the plenary during the next sitting. In addition to checking credentials, Ϸվ also rules on any disputes pursuant to the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of Members of the European Ϸվ by direct universal suffrage, except those based on national electoral laws.
Where it is established that an MEP holds an incompatible office, the Ϸվ "shall establish that there is a vacancy."