Iskanje
The Role of the European Council in the EU Constitutional Structure
This study examines the evolving role of the European Council in the EU’s constitutional structure. As the study demonstrates, the increasing tendency of the European Council to instruct other EU institutions and its limited accountability have established an increasing gap between its de jure role under the EU Treaties and its de facto power in the larger system of EU governance. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs ...
Research for REGI, CONT and BUDG Committees - Cohesion Policy Calendar (2021-2027 and 2014-2020 Programming Periods) January 2024 update
The implementation timetable for cohesion policy is defined largely by its legislative framework. In order to be able to plan parliamentary work and exercise systematic scrutiny of policy implementation and of the Commission’s work, it is essential to have an overview of the timing of different steps in policy implementation in the coming years. This type of briefing was first published (and subsequently updated) in 2014 covering the 2014-2020 programming period. This version includes the policy ...
Parliament's proposals to amend the Treaties
During its November II plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on a report proposing a large number of modifications to the EU Treaties, to make radical reforms to the EU. This report follows on from debates in recent years that intensified with the Conference on the Future of Europe in 2021 and 2022. If adopted, interinstitutional discussions would resume on whether to proceed with a revision of the Treaties.
Commission proposal on preventing and combating child sexual abuse: The Commission's engagement with stakeholders
Drawn up in response to the specific request by the LIBE committee of 16 October 2023, this briefing first provides a succinct overview of the role and purpose of stakeholder consultation under the Commission's Better Regulation agenda (Chapter 1), to enhance the evidence base of a legislative proposal. It considers the different types of consultation the Commission carries out at different stages in the process to ensure it consults broadly and comprehensively, as set out in the Better Regulation ...
Key Issues in the European Council - State of play in September 2023
This EPRS publication, 'Key issues in the European Council', which is updated every quarter to coincide with European Council meetings, seeks to provide an overview of the institution's activities on major EU issues. It analyses 12 broad policy areas, explaining the legal and political background, the main priorities and orientations defined by the European Council and the results of its involvement to date, as well as some of the future challenges in each policy field.
Nominations for Members of the European Court of Auditors: Denmark, Spain and Ireland
This briefing describes the treaty provisions and appointment procedure for ECA members at EU level. In addition, it provides information on the national nomination procedure for ECA members in Denmark, Spain and Ireland and the countries’ candidates.
Commissioner hearings: Maroš Šefčovič - European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight
In the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič has served as a Commissioner since 2009. He was the Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth from 2009 to 2010, and from 2010 to 2014 Commissioner and Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Administration. From 2014 to 2019 he was Vice President for the Energy Union, and since 2019 he has been the Vice-President responsible for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. He also serves as co-chair and representative of the European ...
The use of Article 122 TFEU - Institutional implications and impact on democratic accountability
This study, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the AFCO Committee, looks into the peculiar nature of Article 122 TFEU as a non-legislative legal basis pursuant to which the European Parliament is not involved in the decision-making. It concludes that the recent recourse to Article 122 TFEU was legally defensible but that the Council does not sufficiently take into account the ‘without prejudice to’ clause in Article 122(1) TFEU. ...
EU Transparency Register: 2021 interinstitutional agreement
The European Parliament set up its Transparency Register in 1995, in response to criticism regarding the transparency and accountability of the EU's decision-making process in the context of widespread lobbying of the EU institutions. The Commission followed suit in 2008. The two institutions merged their instruments in a joint European Transparency Register in 2011 on the basis of an interinstitutional agreement (IIA); the Council remained only an observer at that time. This original Transparency ...
Reforming rules to protect Parliament's integrity
During the July 2023 plenary session, Members will vote on the own-initiative report of the ING2 special committee laying down recommendations to strengthen Parliament's rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and countering corruption, in the context of protecting it from foreign interference.