The European Parliament called for it to be granted a right of legislative initiative “at least” in those policy areas where it is currently a direct co-legislator, adopting on Thursday 9 June a report by Paulo Rangel (EPP, Portugal) by a large majority (420 votes in favour, 117 against, 35 abstentions).
Such a possibility can only be realised through an institutional review of the European Union, an approach that the European Parliament advocated the same day (see EUROPE 12968/17).
Recognising this right in the Parliament “means strengthening the democratic legitimacy of the EU”, said Mr Rangel the day before during the plenary debate, pointing out that the citizens who participated in the Conference on the Future of Europe were in favour of it. He stressed that this right would only complement the right of initiative of the European Commission.
According to MEPs, the Commission could even retain a monopoly of initiative on budgetary matters and the EU Council could also have a direct right of legislative initiative “in strictly defined areas”.
The European Parliament currently has a right of initiative only to determine its internal functioning, to reform the EU Electoral Law (see EUROPE 12944/1) and to request the opening of an ‘Article 7’ procedure on the respect of the Rule of law, as it has done with Hungary. It therefore considers it necessary to negotiate a new interinstitutional agreement to provide a better framework for these procedures and to ensure that the associated deadlines are respected.
MEPs also welcome the fact that the ‘von der Leyen’ Commission has respected its initial commitment to present a legislative proposal whenever the European Parliament has asked it to do so by adopting a resolution based on Article 225 TFEU. This was the case, for example, for the supervision of the rise of crypto-assets and artificial intelligence or the fight against deforestation.
“We have adapted our working method to ensure that (...) the College of Commissioners debates all replies to Parliament’s resolutions adopted under Article 225 of the Treaty”, said Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. According to him, 90% of the requests have been honoured and the EU institution is actively working on the outstanding proposals.
See the European Parliament’s resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/229 (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)