"Gone are the days when Commission officials could draw up legislative proposals [...] and then present them as a fait accompli to Parliament and Council. The Commission now has to take notice of Parliament's positions in the drawing up of legislative proposals. It knows that the fate of that legislation is in our hands."
Listen to Enrique Barón Crespo reflect on his time as President of the European Parliament, a period that saw dramatic change in Europe from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the breakup of Yugoslavia, and important developments in EU politics with efforts towards European political union and preparation for the Maastricht Treaty.
For more information on the archival fonds and biography of Enrique Barón Crespo, click here.
Enrique Barón Crespo, the European Parliament and German reunification.
Developing political cooperation across Europe.
Establishing the places of work for the European Parliament.
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the Yugoslav tragedy.
Recognising the defence of human rights and freedom of thought worldwide.
Significant events that marked Enrique Barón Crespo's mandate.