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Committees of inquiry in the European Ϸվ

In-Depth Analysis 26-05-2023

Ϸվ has been trying to strengthen its powers to conduct in-depth investigations into contraventions or maladministration in the implementation of European Union law since 2012, but has so far failed to gain the consent of the Commission or the Council for the modification of the legal framework applicable to its committees of inquiry. These powers were also discussed as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe. This paper updates a 2021 EPRS publication on the European Ϸվ's committees of inquiry and special committees. It offers an overview of the legal framework currently applicable to the Ϸվ's committees of inquiry and gives an insight into the proposal put forward by Ϸվ in 2012 to modify that legal framework, and the subsequent negotiations with the other institutions. It presents the different types of inquiry that can be dealt with by Ϸվ's inquiry committees, the investigative powers granted to them, and the types of inquiry that can be dealt with by special and standing committees of the European Ϸվ.