The European Parliament celebrated its 70th anniversary on Tuesday, November 22 in Strasbourg in the presence of the President of the European Commission, Mrs. von der Leyen, Commissioners and Members of Parliament from the 27 member states of the European Union. 7 years after the war, Europe wished for cross-continental reconciliation, so in 1952 the Joint Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner of the European Parliament, was created. The 6 member countries of the ECSC were represented by 78 deputies.

70 years ago, on September 10, 1952, the first session took place in Strasbourg. The European Parliament, which was given this official name in 1962, now has 705 members, who have been elected by universal suffrage since 1979. They have met in Strasbourg since 1999 on the occasion of the European Parliament's plenary sessions, but can also meet in Brussels. The European Parliament has been a witness and co-founder of Europe as we know it today.  

The official ceremony began with a video review by the Parliament of the highlights of its history: charismatic figures such as Simone Weil, the first President of the Parliament, Nelson Mandela and many others such as Helmut Kohl, all of whom have entered the collective memory.

Speeches by the President and Prime Ministers of the European Union

In her opening speech in the plenary hall, EP President Roberta Metsola said:

„Das Europäische Parlament hat sich zum einzigen direkt gewählten, mehrsprachigen, transnationalen Mehrparteien-Parlament der Welt entwickelt. Seine 705 direkt gewählten Mitglieder sind Ausdruck der öffentlichen Meinung in Europa“.

Sie würdigte auch die „größte mehrsprachige Versammlung der Welt“, die ein „Leuchtfeuer für die Verteidigung der Demokratie“ sei.

The President's speech was followed by the speeches of the Prime Ministers of the three countries where the Parliament has a seat: France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Der belgische Premierminister Alexander de Croo betonte, dass „das politische Projekt des heutigen Europas hauptsächlich von visionären Bürgern getragen wird„. Er lobte die: „grundlegende Arbeit, die dieses Parlament geleistet hat, um die Demokratie und die Rechtsstaatlichkeit in Europa zu schützen“. „Wir dürfen diesen Kampf für die Grundrechte nicht allein den Gerichten überlassen. Wir Politiker müssen auch die Hauptarbeit leisten“.

Der luxemburgische Premierminister Xavier Bettel betonte in seiner persönlichen Rede das Prinzip der Vielfalt, das im Mittelpunkt der Zeremonie stand, und erklärte: „Sieben Jahre nach dem Krieg haben wir beschlossen, etwas zu schaffen. Damals durften die Menschen nicht leben, weil sie anders waren; heute leben wir in einem Gebiet, in dem die Bürger frei sind“. Abschließend sagte er: „Ich selbst hätte während des Zweiten Weltkriegs nicht das Recht gehabt, frei zu sein: Ich bin liberal, jüdischer Abstammung und mit einem Mann verheiratet – und jetzt bin ich Regierungschef. Das ist das europäische Projekt: Ihr könnt unterschiedlich sein, und darin liegt unser Reichtum: in dieser Vielfalt.„

French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne gave a speech in which she emphasized France's role in building a common future for the European Union. In particular, she stressed the importance of the Strasbourg seat of the Parliament.
"Strasbourg is a city marked by history [...] and which embodies the reconciliation of the European peoples.Strasbourg shows the strength of unity and the power of peace."

Speeches of the political groups

After the speeches of the Prime Ministers, most of the leaders of the seven political groups of the Parliament stressed that Europe has only a democratic future and that it is necessary to shape the European Parliament with full legislative rights for the benefit of the citizens, as the citizenship of the Union strengthens the national citizenship. All of them stressed the challenges that Europe is currently facing.

For Philippe Lambert, (The Greens/(FTA) the future requires especially: "ambition, a willingness to compromise, and the preservation of democracy and the rule of law."

Critical and anti-European opinions were also expressed. But as President Metsola noted, these expressions prove that pluralism, diversity and democracy do exist in Parliament.

Conclusion:

After 70 years, the European Parliament is the largest forum for the exchange of opinions in a democratic spirit.