European Parliament (2014–2019)
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| European Parliament (2014–2019) | |
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| Name | European Parliament (2014–2019) |
| Legislature | 8th European Parliament |
| Caption | Logo of the 8th European Parliament |
| House type | Unicameral |
| Established | 1979 (direct elections) |
| Term | 2014–2019 |
| Predecessor | 7th European Parliament |
| Successor | 9th European Parliament |
European Parliament (2014–2019) was the eighth term of the European Parliament elected in May 2014 and serving until 2019, operating under the institutional framework of the Treaty of Lisbon and interacting with the European Commission led by President Jean-Claude Juncker, the Council of the European Union, and national parliaments such as the Bundestag and the Assemblée nationale (France). The term coincided with major European events including the 2014 European Parliament election, the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, the rise of parties like La République En Marche!, and crises invoking institutions such as the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Central Bank.
Background and election
The 2014 elections followed the completion of the Treaty of Lisbon reforms and were influenced by the aftermath of the European sovereign debt crisis, the political fallout from the Greek government-debt crisis, and the policy responses of the European Stability Mechanism and the International Monetary Fund. Campaigns featured parties and figures including Angela Merkel's allies, Martin Schulz of the Party of European Socialists, Guy Verhofstadt of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party, and national movements like UK Independence Party, Front National (France), Syriza, and Podemos (Spain). Electoral dynamics were affected by supranational actors such as the European People's Party, European Conservatives and Reformists, and transnational debates over the Schengen Area, the Eurozone crisis, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations between the European Union and the United States.
Composition and political groups
The 8th Parliament comprised 751 members including delegations from member states such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and United Kingdom until Brexit. Major political groups included the European People's Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF), the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), and the Greens–European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA). National parties represented included The Republicans (France), Democratic Party (Italy), Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, Fidesz, Sinn Féin, Die Linke, Alternative for Germany, Conservative Party (UK), Scottish National Party, Fête de la Fédération (Belgium) and insurgent formations like Golden Dawn (Greece), Jobbik, Democratic Left Alliance and Movement for a Europe of Liberties and Democracy affiliates. Technical groupings and non-attached members sat as Non-Inscrits and included figures linked to movements such as Five Star Movement and Vox (political party).
Leadership and key officeholders
The Parliament elected Martin Schulz as President at the start of the term before he was succeeded by Antonio Tajani following the 2017 reshuffle tied to the European Commission appointments and inter-group negotiations involving the European Council and national leaders like François Hollande and David Cameron. Key vice-presidents and quaestors were drawn from groups including the EPP Group, S&D Group, and ALDE Group, with influential committee chairs including leaders from committees such as the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. Prominent MEPs during the term included Guy Verhofstadt, Ska Keller, Manfred Weber, Iratxe García, Udo Bullmann, Dacian Cioloș, Frans Timmermans, and Elmar Brok.
Legislative activity and major policies
The 8th Parliament legislated on files including the General Data Protection Regulation, the Clean Energy for All Europeans package, the European Banking Union, the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy, and the implementation of the Digital Single Market initiatives such as the Net Neutrality debates and copyright reform culminating in the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. It vetted and approved Commissioners including Věra Jourová, Mariya Gabriel, Miguel Arias Cañete, and influenced policy through delegated acts alongside institutions like the European Investment Bank and supervisory bodies such as the European Securities and Markets Authority and European Banking Authority. The Parliament adopted resolutions on external matters including the Ukraine crisis, sanctions involving Vladimir Putin's Russia, the Iran nuclear deal with signatories like United States and Iran, and human rights situations in Syria, Turkey, and Belarus.
Committees and delegation work
Standing committees such as the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on International Trade, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Committee on Budgets, and Committee on Constitutional Affairs conducted legislative scrutiny, interparliamentary delegations and fact-finding missions to countries including Ukraine, Tunisia, Morocco, China, and India. Delegations maintained relations with assemblies like the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the African, Caribbean and Pacific–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, and bilateral ties with legislatures such as the United States Congress and the Russian State Duma. Rapporteurs and shadow rapporteurs from groups including EPP Group, S&D Group, and ALDE Group shaped dossiers such as the EU–Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, and readmission agreements with third countries.
Sessions, plenaries and voting record
Plenary sittings in Strasbourg and committee meetings in Brussels delivered notable votes: approval of the Juncker Commission, rejection or amendments to trade deals like TTIP positions, adoption of the Resolution on Turkey and votes on sanctions against Russia. The Parliament’s roll-call votes and consent procedures determined the confirmation of Commissioners and budgetary allocations within the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014–2020, influencing funding for programs like Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, and cohesion funds administered to regions such as Andalusia and Bavaria. Voting coalitions often crossed group lines, involving MEPs from Fidesz, UKIP, En Marche!, PDL (Romania), and S&D.
Controversies and scandals
The term saw controversies including allegations of corruption tied to lobbying scandals involving consultancy firms, lobbying registers debated with institutions such as Transparency International, data and surveillance disputes invoking Edward Snowden revelations, and gaffes linked to MEPs from parties like UKIP and Front National (France). High-profile resignations and ethics investigations affected figures associated with committees, and tensions over Brexit negotiations implicated delegations from United Kingdom and institutions such as the European Council of 2016. Debates over the Parliament’s working places in Strasbourg and Brussels provoked criticism from fiscal conservatives and advocates including Greens/EFA and European Free Alliance delegates.