European Parliamentary Assembly

European Parliamentary Assembly. The European Parliamentary Assembly, known since 1962 as the European Parliament, is a core institution of the European Union and its predecessors, directly representing the citizens of the member states. It evolved from a consultative body into a powerful co-legislator with the Council of the European Union, holding significant budgetary and supervisory authority. Its members, directly elected since 1979, shape a wide range of EU law and policies affecting the entire European Economic Area.

History and establishment

The institution traces its origins to the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, established by the Treaty of Paris (1951). With the creation of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community via the Treaty of Rome (1957), this assembly was expanded to serve all three communities, formally becoming the European Parliamentary Assembly in 1958. For its first two decades, its members were delegated from national parliaments, such as the Bundestag and the Assemblée Nationale (France). A pivotal moment was the first direct election in 1979, following the decision under the European Council summit, which fundamentally transformed its democratic legitimacy and political weight within the institutional framework of the European Union.

Structure and composition

The assembly is composed of 705 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected from all member states, allocated according to the principle of degressive proportionality. MEPs organize themselves primarily into transnational political groups in the European Parliament, such as the European People's Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, rather than by nationality. Its internal structure is led by a President of the European Parliament, supported by the Bureau of the European Parliament and the Conference of Presidents. Legislative and oversight work is conducted through permanent committees, like the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, which prepare reports for plenary sessions.

Powers and functions

It exercises substantial powers, most notably as a co-legislator under the ordinary legislative procedure with the Council of the European Union, influencing policy areas from the single market to environmental policy. It shares authority over the budget of the European Union, with the power to amend and ultimately adopt the annual budget in conjunction with the council. The assembly holds important democratic oversight functions, including the power to approve or reject the appointment of the President of the European Commission and the College of European Commissioners, and can motion a vote of no confidence in the commission. It also conducts inquiries through committees like the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and can establish committees of inquiry.

Role in European integration

The institution has been a relentless advocate for deeper political union and the expansion of its own powers, a process evident in successive treaty reforms like the Single European Act, the Maastricht Treaty, and the Treaty of Lisbon. It has consistently pushed for strengthening European citizenship and fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The assembly has also been a vocal proponent of enlargement of the European Union, supporting the accession of countries from Eastern Europe following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Its evolution mirrors the transformation of the European Communities into a political union with competencies in areas like justice and home affairs.

Relationship with other EU institutions

Its relationship with the European Commission is foundational, as it elects the commission's president and holds the executive accountable, while the commission has the sole right of legislative initiative. The dynamic with the Council of the European Union is characterized by complex negotiation and conciliation within the trilogue process to finalize legislation. It provides input to and monitors the work of the European Council, though it has no direct legislative power over that body. Furthermore, it interacts with institutions like the Court of Justice of the European Union, notably through proceedings on legal basis disputes, and the European Central Bank, whose president regularly appears before the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Category:European Parliament