The European Parliament Flashcards
powers of the EP
represents interests of voters
deliberates on matters of public importance
has powers to make laws
has authoirty over the budget
oversight of other institutions
two dimensions
political groups
thematic specialisation
political groups in the EP
first, there are EP elections in member states: national parties, after that there is grouping in pan-european political groups.
based on long standing cooperation, ideological proximity, national political considerations, motivations of individuals.
no group is no problem, but in that case there are fewer resources (finances, speaking time)
thematic specialisation
parliamentary committees
prepare files before they are sent to plenary
EP is a working parliament
all political groups are represented in each committee
Difference EP and Council
EP exists out of plenary, committees and EP groups
Council exists out of ministers, coreper and working groups
plenary
where the conference opens and closes, where major statements are made and broad-ranging debate may be conducted and where all decisions by the conference are taken
rapporteurs
rapporteurs are individuals who are file managers. rapporteur has to get a lot of members on board, which needs lots of persuasion
they propose a position in the EP committee (draft report)
they take into account of any amendments
their ‘report’ is sent to the plenary meeting and voted on
= They, thus, prepare an EP position on a file … and they negotiate with the Council
who becomes a rapporteur
all party groups are represented in the committees
their leaders in the committees are called coordinators
party groups receive a number of points relative to their size at the beginning of the year of the parliamentary term
coordinators place bids
winning party may appoint a rapporteur, losing party may apport a shadow rapporteur
ordinary legislative procedure
commission initiative
EP (1st reading)
council (1st reading)
EP (2nd reading)
Council (2nd reading)
Conciliation: trilogue meeting
EP (3rd reading)
Council (3rd reading)
trilogue participants (EP side)
rapporteur & shadow rapporteur
chair of parliamentary committee
legal advisor
political assistants of (shadow)rapporteurs and their party groups
= 20-30 people at the EP side
trilogue participants (Council side)
council presidency negotiator
* can be permanent representative / coreper member or a working party member. usually a minister.
representatives of previous / next presidencies
general secretariat members / legal advisors
= typically 5-8 people
trilogue participants (commission)
the unit who prepared the proposal
head of unit, or director, or director general
strengths and weaknesses EP
No coalition agreements: every file needs to survive the decision-making process on its own merits
Party discipline exists, but weaker than at national level
Internal cohesion of party groups: some very cohesive, others less so
Less media attention than at national level
No formal right of initiative
