1. DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
Contemporary challenges for National Parliaments
in the EU

3. The study in a nutshell (1/4)
A synthesis of the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon related to NPs
A symbolic recognition
The Early Warning Mechanism (EWM)
Information rights
Treaty revision
A specific role for Freedom, Security & Justice
Inter-parliamentary cooperation

4. The study in a nutshell (2/4)
A rather negative assessment of the EWS
Contingency requirement
national governments’ hand
A rather positive assessment of the dialogue with the Commission
a massive use: 4000 opinions ( )
a mutli-level information provider

6. The study in a nutshell (3/4)
Two opposite but equally uncertain options for collective action
Green card (2015)
Red card (2016)
A mixed assessment of inter-parliamentary cooperation
An increasing dynamism (foreign affairs, budget, justice…)
Yet, still secondary arenas

8. The study in a nutshell (4/4)
Regarding budgetary & economic coordination
Variations between NPs in terms of rights & involvement
Yet, generally, development of scrutiny over those issues…
… which contrasts with the great uncertainty regarding NPs’ role at the EU level. 5 options identified.

10. Four contemporary challenges: problems & recommendations
Opposition
Inter-parliamentary cooperation
Duration
Transparency & information

11. Four contemporary challenges: 1. the role of the opposition
Problem
The fusion between parliamentary majority & the government in national democracies
How to give a say to the opposition?
Recommendations
Promotion of best practices at the domestic level
Pluralist composition of any parliamentary delegation
Minority opinions sent to EU institutions

12. Four contemporary challenges: 2. inter-parliamentary cooperation
Problems
Which audience? Which outputs?
Divisions between parliaments. Lack of MPs’ motivation.
Recommendations
(Standing) committee-based compositions of parliamentary delegations
Renewed working methods
Clever timing of the conferences

13. Four contemporary challenges: 3. rhythm of policy processes
Problem
Fast track legislation
Elongation of the legislative procedure (2 years)
Recommendations
Stop solely focussing NPs involvement on the early period of legislative bargains
Early involvement of the sectoral standing committees (not only EU committees)

14. Four contemporary challenges: 4. the transparency
Problem
Generalisation of 1st reading agreement
NPs hardly informed during bargains
Recommendations
More transparency regarding trilogues
Connecting with the future common legislative database of the three institutions
More transparency regarding the Council activities

15. Presentation by Olivier Rozenberg Sciences Po (Paris)
Policy Department Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs
Responsible Administrator: Eeva ERIKSSON