Brussels, 20 March 2024
The Committee on Constitutional Affairs has endorsed the report seeking to strengthen Parliament’s working methods, its institutional role, and its capacity to act.
On Wednesday, MEPs approved (with 19 votes in favour, two against, and six abstentions) the report prepared by the Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Salvatore De Meo (EPP, IT), that would amend the EP rules of procedure. The report reflects the output of the relevant working group set up by the Conference of Presidents in January 2023.
Improving the legislative process
In order to achieve better negotiating outcomes and strengthen Parliament’s democratic role, MEPs want future demands by Parliament for legal acts to be produced by the Commission to include an assessment of their financial implications, and include specific references to the legal basis to be employed. MEPs also want to hold the Commission accountable more effectively when it does not follow up on such a demand in a timely manner, by introducing a concrete timeframe for Commissioners to appear in Parliament for this reason.
More democratic scrutiny
Seeking to increase Parliament’s responsiveness, MEPs want to introduce special public hearings to put questions to Commissioners on issues of major political importance on the one hand, andad hocplenary sessions on the other, during which no voting sessions may take place. A special session will be expected to be held with the Commission President or selected Commissioners, without a pre-defined theme, once per plenary. MEPs also want to enhance democratic checks on the Commission’s decisions foremergency measures under Article 122 TFEU by introducing a parliamentary scrutiny element.
The report envisions a more effective process to scrutinise an incoming College of Commissioners, for example by inviting the President-elect to inform Parliament on the planned structure of the new Commission and its gender balance, in addition to the allocation of portfolios. Further, the confirmation hearing process is restructured, and the Committee on Legal Affairs will have an obligation to inform the committee(s) involved in a confirmation hearing of any finding on declarations of interest that may be relevant.
Streamlining internal procedures
As for legislative files, the report streamlines their allocation to committees and introduces a more effective and faster mechanism to resolve competence issues, while simplifying how up to three lead committees work jointly on a file. The new rules foresee the option for the Conference of Presidents to propose a temporary legislative committee, when it becomes clear that there would be more than three competent committees in the lead for a file. Organising and conducting trilogues is also made more effective, to increase the leverage of Parliament’s negotiating team and to address exceptional circumstances. Accelerated legislative procedures are also to be introduced, so that some files can be prioritised at committee level, and rules on preparatory steps are made more straightforward..
To make plenary debates more engaging, time may be allocated to a political group as a block, during which the Chair will ensure appropriate conduct. Members will be encouraged to sit at the front of the Chamber, while being expected to be present for the whole debate if they wish to take the floor. Specific provisions are made for more flexibility in allocating speaking time.
Finally, MEPs seek to improve procedures on parliamentary missions by determining the Conference of Presidents as the single authorising body.
Next steps
The report is expected to be tabled at the April I (10 – 11 April) plenary session in Brussels. For the changes relating to interinstitutional procedures to be implemented, the 2010 Framework Agreement between the Parliament and the Commission will have to be revised – a procedure already initiated by President Metsola.
Source – EU Parliament