PROGRAMMES

Serving the European Integration

The John Lukacs Institute of the University of Public Service and the Otto von Habsburg Foundation are organising an event to mark the 45th anniversary of the first direct European Parliament elections on the afternoon of 5 March 2024 in the Széchenyi Ceremonial Hall of the Ludovika Campus. Our namesake, Otto von Habsburg’s career came to fruition in 1979, when he became a member of the first directly elected European Parliament, with a mandate from the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU).

Registration

Venue

Budapest,
University of Public Service

Date

Start

2024.03.05.
Tuesday17:00

End

2024.03.05.
Tuesday18:30 

From Palace to Parliament

Serving the European Integration 
 
 
Date:
 
05 March 2024 (Tuesday) 17.00
 
Venue:
 
University of Public Service, Széchenyi Ceremonial Hall

In 1979, 45 years ago, the European Parliament elections took place, marking the first direct election of MEPs, including Otto von Habsburg. This occasion is a reminder of the broader, global political context of the events of that time, as well as the period in the life of the last Hungarian Crown Prince when he assumed a tangible political position as a leader of the pan-European movement and became a Member of Parliament. During his four terms of office, the role of the European Parliament changed a lot, although this process has accelerated considerably in recent years. Reflecting on this trend should be encouraged in preparation for the forthcoming elections.

Programme


16.45
 
Registration
 
17.00
 
Welcoming address
 
Gergely Prőhle, Director of the Habsburg Ottó Foundation,
Programme Director of the John Lukacs Institute of the University of Public Service
17.05 Keynote speech

The European Parliament elections in a broader political context

Aline Sierp, Professor at the University of Maastricht

 
17.30    
 
Presentations and Panel Discussion

The Role of the European Parliament Past and Present 

Walburga Habsburg Douglas, Vice-President of the Pan-European Union
 
Rainhard Kloucek, Secretary General of the Pan-European Movement of Austria
 
Carlos Uriarte Sanchez, Professor of Constitutional Law at the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid 
 
Enikő Győri, Member of the European Parliament
 
 
18.30
 
Reception

  

The conference will be held in German and Hungarian;
simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

We look forward to welcoming you!