The Oral History Archives of Enrique Barón Crespo
"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.
The fall of the Berlin Wall
Enrique Barón Crespo, the European Parliament and German reunification.
Interinstitutional Relations
Developing political cooperation across Europe.
The Brussels headquarters
Establishing the places of work for the European Parliament.
International relations
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the Yugoslav tragedy.
The Sakharov Prize
Recognising the defence of human rights and freedom of thought worldwide.
Key moments of his Presidency
Significant events that marked Enrique Barón Crespo's mandate.