Powers of the European Parliament...

Brussels

Strasbourg

MEPs in the chamber in Strasbourg.

As political groups prepare to vote, a leading MEP of the group will indicate whether they vote yes or no.

No the motion is rejected

Yes the motion is accepted.

Voting can be done by a show of hands and by electronic means.

MEPs insert a unique card which allows them to vote

The results of the votes appear on screens around the Chamber

A show of hands is another way of voting

The resolution is carried: 626 MEPs say yes, 46 say no

An amendment has been rejected

Political groups enforce attendance for key votes

Introduction
In the European tradition, parliaments are the central institutions for political legitimacy (Katz and Wessels 1999) EP not the Parliament of the Europeans or of a European state Not a full parliament (budgetary powers, legislative powers, control powers)

What are the functions of a `normal parliament?

1) Elects the government and other public officials 2) Makes laws 3) Controls government/budget 4) Represents the people and their views

EP Powers: Political
Approves appointment of Commission President Approves appointment of Commissioners after public hearings these are currently happening Feb 2010 Questions Council and Commission Can censure and dismiss the whole Commission, or use threats to do so *CASE STUDY Buttiglione 2004* Appointment of Ombudsman, Court of Auditors

Rocco Buttiglione
2004 New team of commissioners proposed by all member states. Italy proposed Buttliglione as the new Justice Commissioner in 2004, yet his views on homosexuality and women upset MEPs. MEPs do not have the power to block the appointment of an individual commissioner, but they can choose to block the entire team of Commissioners instead. MEPs threatened to use this power, and Buttiglione was eventually replaced by Franko Frattini instead.

Powers over executive

Lisbon new! President of the Commission will be elected by EP, (candidate is proposed to MEPs by the European Council, but in proposing the candidate, the EP must take into account the results of EP elections). If EP dont like the candidate, another must be proposed.

Powers: Legislative
Consultation procedure (no veto power)

Co-operation procedure (soft veto power)

Co-decision procedure (veto power)

Assent procedure (veto power)

Consultation Procedure
Council has to ask for EPs opinion on Commission proposals, but it can ignore it Important on issues such as CAP, taxation, revision of treaties, transport, competition policy

Co-decision Procedure (since Lisbon called ordinary legislative procedure)

EP and Council adopt legislative initiatives jointly. EP has the right of veto (in which case a compromise is reached in a committee attended by EP and Commission representatives) Procedure covers much legislation: consumer protection, culture, asylum, immigration, environment, education, employment, health, research, environment... Policy areas extended under Amsterdam / Nice Lisbon has extended co-decision much further into 40 new areas e.g. CAP

EU environmental legislation is decided by the co-decision procedure

CAP is now decided by co-decision

EU Co-decision
Com
Preparation
Initiative

EP EP

Council
Pre Decision Common Adopts = EU law position or rejects

First Reading

proposal

opinion

Second Reading

proposal

Approves Rejects: No Law or amends

Approves Or rejects

Conciliation

Assent Procedure
Agreement of EP is needed on any proposed enlargement of EU / international agreements / constitutional matters e.g. powers of European Central Bank Commission proposal Council EP can accept or reject No formal mechanism for amendments

EP must agree to any enlargement of the EU

Co-operative Procedure
(less important)

Introduced under Single European Act, now less important Soft veto power on some aspects of EMU policy EP had right to second reading e.g. EP can discuss and reject proposal, but could be outvoted (on a unanimous vote) by Council. Most policies have moved to co-decision...

Budgetary Powers
Commission proposes budget, Council votes (unanimity required), EP must give consent Since Lisbon, EP decides on entire EU budget (alongside Council) Since Lisbon, EP also now has a say on compulsory expenditure (45% of EU budget) e.g. CAP EP can amend proposed expenditure on aspects of the budget e.g. size of social fund EP Budgetary Control Committee checks expenditure (with Court of Auditors)

MEPs have the right to examine proposed expenditure of the Council & Commission