European parliament president Martin Schulz kicks off our first issue of the New Year saying that his main goal will be to make sure MEPs get the credit they deserve in the run-up to the 2014 elections.
In an exclusive interview with The Parliament Magazine, Schulz said that the European parliament is there to provide "democratic accountability and to make [what we do] visible and audible. This is my main goal." This is a vision, he adds, that Irish taoiseach Enda Kenny also shares.
As Ireland takes over the helm of the EU council presidency, Schulz says, "I hope that the Irish council presidency's six months will be a time of very strong and enhanced cooperation between the council and the parliament."