Since 1 May, the European Parliament counts 162 new Members, representing the ten new Member States of the EU. 

These new MEPs, who are in most cases the current observers from the accession countries, have been nominated by their Member States to serve only until the newly elected European Parliament meets in July. 

For the short period until then, however, the new Members will formally have exactly the same status as the current 626 MEPs from the 15 Member States. 

A formal opening of the first sitting of the enlarged European Parliament took place on 3 May. 

Before the events in the chamber, an official ceremony took place in front of the Louise Weiss building in Strasbourg. Each of the presidents of the national parliaments of the new Member States presented their flag to EP President Pat Cox, who handed them over to a soldier from Eurocorps. All the flags were raised simultaneously while a band played the European anthem