European Parliament
Composition
1979
705 members, directly elected from the various Member States according to population size.
Mandate: 5 years
Political affiliation:
- The members represent the citizens, but they are not divided by nationality they are divided based on their political affiliation.
- On the European level there are political parties whose status and financing has been determined by the Council.
- Within the European Parliament some of the national delegations from a certain national political party can affiliate itself within a
political group
=> The groups and parties at European level do not necessarily correspond.
Tasks and responsibilities
Participation in decision-making Budget Supervision and control
Co-decision procedure: 1. They approve the yearly budget The Parliament has the political monitoring of the
- Starts with the European Commission (together with the Council). European institutions.
putting forward a proposal to the 2. This is part of a bigger 7-year In the first place: the Commission (as one of
Council of Ministers and the European budget (MFF) the Council its responsibilities).
Parliament. needs consensus to agree on the
- Both must agree on the final MFF, after having received Means:
legislative text. consent from the Parliament. 1. Motion of distrust: remove the
- TO ensure an agreement, the 3. The Commission is tasked to Commission as a body.
European Commission mediates the execute the budget should 2. Questions (oral or written) to the
negotiations between them. seek discharge from the Commission and Council.
=> European Parliament does not have Parliament on the spending of to check on the execution of the
exclusive legislative power! the budget. responsibilities of the Union.
=> In this context, Committees of Inquiry
Nice Treaty: additional competences for the can be founded.
European Parliament.
, the competence to lodge an appeal on Committees of Inquiry:
account of: - On the request of one-quarter of its
- Incompetency members.
- Violation of essential procedural - Temporary
requirements - Investigate alleged violations of EU
- Violation of the Treaty establishing legislation or cases of mismanagement
the European Community or any with the application of EU law.
implementation regulation of this
- Abuse of authority which are presumably committed by:
=> further reinforced the position of the An institution or a body of the EU.
Parliament. A government service of a Member State.
Persons that by power of EU law are
authorized to apply this law.
UNLESS: a judicial procedure initiated on the
same facts is pending.
- They are supposed to report to the EP
within a (extendable) period of 12
months.
- If they need to: they can also submit a
draft recommendation directed at the
institutions or bodies of the EU or
Member State.
AFTER: committee ceases to excist.
Functioning
Meeting rhythm Co-decision Consultation Procedure Parliamentary committees
procedure
- Annual session Below. The Commission has the exclusive right of Mirroring the national decision-making
- Monthly gatherings initiative. procedures.
which consist of Proposals adopted by the Commission are Task: prepare EP’s work.
Composition
1979
705 members, directly elected from the various Member States according to population size.
Mandate: 5 years
Political affiliation:
- The members represent the citizens, but they are not divided by nationality they are divided based on their political affiliation.
- On the European level there are political parties whose status and financing has been determined by the Council.
- Within the European Parliament some of the national delegations from a certain national political party can affiliate itself within a
political group
=> The groups and parties at European level do not necessarily correspond.
Tasks and responsibilities
Participation in decision-making Budget Supervision and control
Co-decision procedure: 1. They approve the yearly budget The Parliament has the political monitoring of the
- Starts with the European Commission (together with the Council). European institutions.
putting forward a proposal to the 2. This is part of a bigger 7-year In the first place: the Commission (as one of
Council of Ministers and the European budget (MFF) the Council its responsibilities).
Parliament. needs consensus to agree on the
- Both must agree on the final MFF, after having received Means:
legislative text. consent from the Parliament. 1. Motion of distrust: remove the
- TO ensure an agreement, the 3. The Commission is tasked to Commission as a body.
European Commission mediates the execute the budget should 2. Questions (oral or written) to the
negotiations between them. seek discharge from the Commission and Council.
=> European Parliament does not have Parliament on the spending of to check on the execution of the
exclusive legislative power! the budget. responsibilities of the Union.
=> In this context, Committees of Inquiry
Nice Treaty: additional competences for the can be founded.
European Parliament.
, the competence to lodge an appeal on Committees of Inquiry:
account of: - On the request of one-quarter of its
- Incompetency members.
- Violation of essential procedural - Temporary
requirements - Investigate alleged violations of EU
- Violation of the Treaty establishing legislation or cases of mismanagement
the European Community or any with the application of EU law.
implementation regulation of this
- Abuse of authority which are presumably committed by:
=> further reinforced the position of the An institution or a body of the EU.
Parliament. A government service of a Member State.
Persons that by power of EU law are
authorized to apply this law.
UNLESS: a judicial procedure initiated on the
same facts is pending.
- They are supposed to report to the EP
within a (extendable) period of 12
months.
- If they need to: they can also submit a
draft recommendation directed at the
institutions or bodies of the EU or
Member State.
AFTER: committee ceases to excist.
Functioning
Meeting rhythm Co-decision Consultation Procedure Parliamentary committees
procedure
- Annual session Below. The Commission has the exclusive right of Mirroring the national decision-making
- Monthly gatherings initiative. procedures.
which consist of Proposals adopted by the Commission are Task: prepare EP’s work.
