5. El poder legislativo. El Parlamento Europeo

Understanding the Legislative Power of the European Union

Overview of Legislative Institutions

• The European Union's executive power relies on legislative institutions to create norms, highlighting the necessity of a legislative framework for effective governance.

• Two main institutions share legislative functions: the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, which together function as a bicameral parliament.

• The European Parliament is likened to a lower house representing citizens, while the Council represents member states through their ministers.

Historical Evolution of the European Parliament

• The origins trace back to an assembly known as the European Parliamentary Assembly in 1962, which had limited powers and was not directly elected by citizens.

• Over time, particularly from the 1970s onward, it evolved into a more democratic structure with direct elections for Members of Parliament (MEPs).

• Key treaties like the Single European Act and Maastricht Treaty expanded its legislative role significantly.

Major Treaties Impacting Legislative Powers

• The Treaty of Amsterdam (1996) established the Parliament as a key player in most legislative areas through co-decision procedures.

• The Treaty of Lisbon marked a significant milestone by equating parliamentary powers with those of the Council in critical areas such as justice and security.

Current Functions of the European Parliament

Deliberative Power

• The Parliament holds deliberative power allowing it to adopt non-legislative resolutions on various EU issues like racism and institutional futures.

Control Powers

• It can collectively censure the Commission with a two-thirds majority but has never successfully done so; it also has rights to question both Commission and Council.

Legislative Influence

• Together with the Council, it adopts most EU laws via ordinary and special legislative procedures, showcasing its significant influence in decision-making processes.

Budgetary Authority

• The Parliament shares budgetary powers with the Council, approving budgets that shape EU policies while ensuring proper implementation through financial oversight.

Appointment Powers

Overview of the European Parliament's Structure and Function

Role of the European Parliament in Justice Policy

• The European Parliament is consulted on key aspects of justice policy, allowing it to pose questions and make recommendations to both the High Representative and the Council.

Organization and Locations of the European Parliament

• The European Parliament operates from three locations: Strasbourg (monthly sessions), Brussels (daily activities), and Luxembourg (secretariat). Sessions in Strasbourg include crucial decisions like the annual EU budget.

Composition of the European Parliament

• The parliament consists of four main actors: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), political groups, parliamentary committees, and the Secretary-General. MEPs are directly elected by citizens through universal suffrage.

Historical Context of MEP Elections

• Before 1979, MEPs were representatives from national parliaments with dual mandates; this changed with new treaties that enhanced parliamentary powers, leading to a more democratic structure.

Current Structure and Representation

• There are currently 705 MEPs, who elect a President for a renewable term of two-and-a-half years. Representation varies by country population, with a minimum of six seats per member state and a maximum of 96 for larger states like Germany.

Political Groups within the Parliament

• MEPs organize into transnational political groups based on shared political affinities; at least 25 members from one-quarter of member states are needed to form a group. Historically, there have been around six or seven groups consistently.

Creation of Political Parties

• The parliament encourages an environment conducive to developing truly European political parties through legislative frameworks that support their establishment alongside national party alliances.

Committees and Delegations in Parliamentary Work

• Much parliamentary work occurs within committees rather than in plenary sessions; these bodies handle technical discussions and negotiations before formal debates occur in plenary settings. This division allows for efficient task management within the parliament's operations.

Types of Committees

Legislative Functions and Administrative Structure of the European Parliament

Overview of Legislative Functions

• The European Parliament exercises legislative, budgetary, and control functions through 20 organized committees where deputies collaborate.

• A strong and reliable administrative structure is essential for the effective functioning of the European Parliament.

Role of Administrative Support

• The General Secretariat plays a crucial role in supporting the parliamentary functions with a robust administrative and technical framework.

• The European Parliament employs nearly 5,000 officials to ensure efficient operations and support its legislative activities.

Evolution of the European Parliament

• Since its inception with the creation of the European Communities, the Parliament has significantly evolved by assimilating important functions.