On February 12, 2014, The European Institute in partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office with the U.S. Congress hosted a breakfast event with Jaume Duch, Spokesperson and Director of Communications for the European Parliament, to discuss the upcoming European Parliament elections and what they could mean for the European Union and the transatlantic relationship. Mr. Duch focused on the high stakes at play in May’s elections, as the slates of Europe’s political parties will be headed by specific candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission. He also discussed the implications of Europe’s long and uneven economic recovery and its potential political impact, including the notable rise of euro-scepticism. Mr. Duch underlined the increasingly important role that the European Parliament assumes on a wide range of issues of transatlantic importance, including TTIP and the protection of data privacy.