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Japan's Ϸվ and other political institutions
Japan is a constitutional monarchy, with a parliamentary system of government based on the separation of powers. The Emperor is the symbol of the state and does not hold political functions, only performing ceremonial duties. Nevertheless, he can play an important diplomatic role. With Emperor Naruhito's enthronement in 2019, following his father's abdication, Japan has entered the Reiwa (beautiful harmony) era. The 2001 administrative reform strengthened the Prime Minister's leadership in the cabinet ...
India's Ϸվ and other political institutions
India is a pluralistic, multi-faith, multilingual (with 22 recognised languages), and multi-ethnic country. In April 2023 it overtook China as the world's most populous country (it had a population of 1.44 billion in 2024). India's 1950 Constitution provides for a quasi-federal set-up, with powers separated between the central union and the 28 state governments. Competences are distributed by administrative level – between the Union (the Centre), the states, or 'concurrently'. The Prime Minister ...
Current Membership of the European Council
The European Council consists of the 27 Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States, who are voting members, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, who have no vote (Article 15(2) Treaty on European Union). The chart shows the current members, the national office they hold, their most recent European political affiliation, and the year their membership began.
Monitoring the implementation of EU law: tools and challenges - Update
This study was commissioned by the European Ϸվ's Policy Department for Citizens, Equality and Culture at the request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI). It updates the study published in 2017, offering information on the key actors responsible for implementing and enforcing EU law. It also examines recent trends in the transposition and application of EU legislation across various policy areas, based on the latest available information. The study outlines the evolution of the EU Enforcement ...
Activities of the European Ombudsman: 2023 annual report
Ethical concerns, transparency and accountability are the main issues raised in the European Ombudsman's 2023 report, which also gives an overview of complaints and inquiries dealt with and other achievements. The Committee on Petitions (PETI) has discussed and approved the Ombudsman's report in its own report. Ϸվ is expected to vote on the PETI committee report during its December 2024 plenary session.
Election of the European Ombudsman
In December, after a public hearing of the candidates in the Committee on Petitions (PETI), the European Ϸվ is set to elect the European Ombudsman for the new parliamentary term. Six candidates are running: Teresa Anjinho (Portugal), a former Deputy Portuguese Ombudsman; Emilio De Capitani (Italy), a former European Ϸվ official; Marino Fardelli (Italy), Ombudsman of the Lazio region; Julia Laffranque (Estonia), a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights; Claudia Mahler ( ...
Article 17 TFEU: Dialogue with churches, and religious and philosophical organisations
The EU institutions engage in regular structured dialogue with representatives of churches, and religious, non-confessional and philosophical organisations, on the basis of Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This dialogue, which takes the form of high-level meetings or working-level discussions, focuses on policy issues on the European agenda. It traces its origins to earlier initiatives, such as that launched in 1994 by Jacques Delors – 'A soul for Europe' ...
Political institutions in Indonesia after the October 2024 elections: Democracy, decentralisation, diversity
Since the downfall of the authoritarian General Suharto in 1998, a series of reforms have transformed Indonesia into the world's fourth largest democracy (and largest Muslim democracy). The country has a presidential system in which a directly elected president serves as head of both state and government. A two-term limit on the presidency helps to ensure a peaceful alternation of power. Also directly elected, Indonesia's House of Representatives (the lower house of the two chambers of parliament ...
Research for REGI committee - Streamlining EU Cohesion funds: addressing administrative burdens and redundancy
This paper reviews the simplification measures aimed at reducing administrative costs and burdens for Managing Authorities (MAs) and beneficiaries in implementing European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). The study further provides an overview of the administrative burdens and challenges that MAs and beneficiaries face when implementing the ESIF. Although various initiatives have been undertaken, administrative challenges persist due to complex regulations and overlapping programmes. Recommendations ...
The implementation of country-specific recommendations under the European Semester cycles
This note provides an overview of the European Commission’s assessment of the implementation of the country-specific recommendations issued annually to EU Member States under the European Semester for economic policy coordination. It presents how their implementation has been assessed over time (during 2011-2023 European Semester cycles), both from an annual and a multiannual perspective. The note is updated on a regular basis.