Evaluating the legislative powers of the European parliament through the European Union treaties

Abstract

The legislative powers of the European Parliament have gradually increased through the European Union Treaties, making it the institution which has evolved the most since the Union’s inception. Since the introduction of direct elections in 1979, the European Parliament had wished to expand its action beyond giving advice on the European Commission’s proposals. It expressed its desire to be consulted on a regular basis by both the European Commission and the Council of the EU. At the time the Parliament had constantly promoted the cause of European unity. Within this context, increasing the Parliament’s legislative powers and strengthening its role in the EU legislative process had encouraged the development of the EU. Moreover, the Parliament is considered as the direct voice of the European people being the only EU institution which is directly elected by the citizens of the EU, conveying the citizens’ views to the other institutions. Thus enhancing its legislative powers is more than suitable. In this regard, it is important to analyse the Parliament’s role in the decision-making process of the Union, and how this role has developed throughout the decades. This dissertation highlights the Parliament’s evolution from an assembly to becoming increasingly powerful, at par with the Council of the EU as co-legislator. The Parliament now adopts the Union’s laws and budget along with the Council. In addition, the Parliament must approve whenever there is a treaty change. Finally, this study evaluates the strengthening of the Parliament’s legislative powers brought about, particularly, by the latest ratified treaties of the EU, the Treaty of Nice and the Lisbon Treaty.