Virtual MEPs

To increase EU awareness among young people, the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation is launching an internet game that will copy the procedures of the European Parliament (EP). It will also run in tandem with the current issues, debates and sessions of the real EP. Prior to each session the foundation will publish a list of documents to be voted on. The players will have to, first, predict the voting results in the real parliament and, second, form their opinions and finally vote. 

Each player will have to choose one of the existing political entities or create a new faction that they will belong to during EP debates and voting simulations. Players will have many chances to form, exchange and change their political views and join new factions. Two kinds of forums will be set up. This first is a general forum, where players can persuade one another to vote in a specific way. The second is for each political organization, and can only be accessed using a password. Here, players can decide on voting discipline behind closed doors.

The "Become an MEP" game starts on February 1 and lasts for five months. Would-be bureaucrats who sign up before January 24 get starting points, but new players can register even after the game begins. During the game all decisions will result in positive or negative points. The three players to score the highest number of points will be treated to a trip to the EP, where they will by hosted by Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Vice-President of the EP. They will also have a chance to take part in a parliamentary session.