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The evolving powers of the European Ϸվ
Ϸվ has come a long way since its inception in 1951. Initially a consultative body composed of delegations of national parliaments, it has become a directly elected institution, has obtained budgetary and legislative powers, and now exercises influence over most aspects of EU affairs. Together with representatives of national governments, who sit in the Council, Ϸվ co-decides on European legislation, in what could be seen as a bicameral legislature at EU level. This publication ...
Ϸվ's new Rules of Procedure: Ϸվ 2024 reforms
Ϸվ's new Rules of Procedure entered into force on 16 July 2024 – the first day of Ϸվ's 10th term. The 'Ϸվ 2024' reforms sought primarily to streamline legislative procedures, enhance budgetary control and improve scrutiny of the Commission. The reforms have tackled conflicts of committee competences to expedite the attribution of files to committees. To address cases of cross-cutting issues falling within the competence of more than three committees, the Conference ...
Implementing the 'Ϸվ 2024' reforms
During its April I session, Ϸվ is due to vote on amendments to its Rules of Procedure on the basis of the report adopted by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO). The report translates into legal rules the recommendations made by the 'Ϸվ 2024' working group after discussion throughout 2023.
Ϸվ votes on termination of the office of a Vice-President
On 13 December, Ϸվ voted, by 625 to 1, to terminate the office of Vice-President Eva Kaili, one of the 14 Vice-Presidents elected in January 2022 at the mid-term renewal of Ϸվ's leadership positions. The vote came after a unanimous vote in the Conference of Presidents to launch the procedure under Rule 21. It came in the context of the ongoing investigations carried out by the Belgian authorities for alleged wrongdoing, which have recently become public knowledge with charges brought ...
Gaining the right of legislative initiative for Ϸվ
During the June I plenary session, the European Ϸվ is expected to vote on a resolution dealing with a crucial issue for Ϸվ, that of acquiring the 'direct' right of legislative initiative, a prerogative that national parliaments in Member States already have. This discussion comes at a time when, in the wake of the conclusion of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the possibility of opening up to bigger, more far-reaching EU reforms is being contemplated.
Ϸվs in emergency mode: Lessons learnt after two years of pandemic
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 presented parliamentary institutions around the world with a new and unprecedented scenario. Ϸվary rules of procedure in representative democracies are commonly built upon the principles of pluralism, deliberation and transparency, aiming to provide an arena in which representatives of the people have the opportunity to publicly confront each other's points of view in a free and fair setting. It is, therefore, safe to say that ordinary ...
Electing the European Ϸվ's President
At the January 2022 plenary sitting, the European Ϸվ (EP) is due to elect its 31st President, to hold office for the second half of the current term, up to the next European elections, following which the new Ϸվ will elect its President in July 2024. The President has an important and increasingly visible function in the EU institutional and international setting, mirroring the influential role of the Ϸվ as shaper of EU policies and as co-legislator. This is a further update ...
Ϸվ's appointing powers
The role and the prerogatives of the European Ϸվ have evolved and increased over time, not only as regards legislative powers and oversight but also in relation to the procedures to nominate, vet and appoint people to other senior positions in EU institutions, agencies and other bodies. Ϸվ's role varies from case to case depending on the legal basis. For instance, Ϸվ appoints the European Ombudsman, is consulted when appointing the members of the Court of Auditors and appoints ...
Appointment of US Supreme Court Justices
In February 2016, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away, vacating a position on America’s highest court. That quickly focused American political discussion, in the midst of a heated Presidential campaigning season, on his possible replacement. The appointment of Supreme Court Justices is broadly depicted in Article II of the US Constitution as a process in which the President chooses a candidate but the Senate provides its 'advice and consent' on the nominee. The Republican-controlled ...
Preparing a Harmonized Maternity Leave for Members of the European Ϸվ - Legal Analysis
Upon request by the FEMM Committee, the Policy Department has examined the Member States' different national legislations for maternity or parental leave for national members of Ϸվ. Furthermore, the rules concerning absence and leave for Members of the European Ϸվ have also been explored. The overview of the European and national rules provide insights in the different ways how maternity or parental leave is regulated for members of parliament at both levels. It concludes that the ...