By Naomi Grimley
BBC News, Strasbourg
**The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, is preparing to undergo a grilling by MEPs in a first question and answer session in Strasbourg.**The hour-long Q&A session will be based on Prime Minister’s Questions in the British House of Commons.
Representatives of the parliament’s main groupings will each have the chance to ask any question they want.
MEPs are hoping it will liven up the parliament’s proceedings and add a touch of spontaneity.
As much as they may complain about the “Punch and Judy” nature of Prime Minister’s Question Time, British MPs know the weekly session at Westminster is envied in many other countries.
Elements of theatre
The European parliament’s Q&A session will take place each time MEPs meet in Strasbourg - about 12 times a year.
The format means Nigel Farage, head of the UK Independence Party, and of the Independence/ Democracy group in the European Parliament, will play a regular role.
Mr Farage has welcomed the move, saying that in the past the parliament has been far too sterile.
“You’ve got 22 official languages, that’s the first problem,” said Mr Farage.
“You don’t get great repartee. It’s very difficult to get humour when you’re all speaking different languages It’s difficult to get those elements of theatre.”
Mr Barroso’s spokesman admits Tuesday’s session will not quite rival the drama of Prime Minister’s Questions.
But the hope is that it will increase accountability - and perhaps help some MEPs achieve a more prominent place in the news.