2012年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_The_European_Parliament_23页_627kb

Summary of "The European Parliament – More powerful, less legitimate?"

Core Content

This CEPS Working Document, published in May 2009, examines the performance and institutional development of the European Parliament (EP) during its 6th term (2004–2009) and provides an outlook for the 7th term. The document explores the balance between increasing institutional power and the potential decline in public legitimacy due to a shift towards more bureaucratic and less politicised operations.

Main Points

1. Adaptation to Enlargement

• The European Parliament successfully adapted to the 2004 and 2007 enlargements, which brought in a significant number of new members.
• Despite initial fears, party cohesion and ideological alignment remained strong, even with increased diversity in the political landscape.
• The cohesion rates in key policy areas (e.g., Budget, Foreign Affairs, Environment) were not lower than average, indicating that the EP maintained internal stability.

2. Impact of New Members

• MEPs from new member states had limited influence in the EP's decision-making structures initially, especially in committee leadership and key offices.
• However, they have been increasingly socialised into the EP's political framework, with more representation in committees and rapporteurships over time.
• The shift in group composition towards conservative parties (EPP-ED, UEN) is notable, though the EP still presents itself as a unitary actor in many institutional contexts.

3. Efficiency vs. Legitimacy

• The EP has become more efficient by streamlining procedures, moving more decisions to committees and reducing plenary debate.
• This shift has led to less time for public debate and greater bureaucratisation, which risks undermining the legitimacy of the EP.
• The paper argues that increased efficiency could lead to less politicisation, alienating voters from the EP's work.

4. Legislative Powers and Procedures

• The EP has gradually expanded its legislative powers over the years, particularly through the co-decision procedure introduced in 1993.
• The co-decision procedure allows the EP to co-decide with the Council, and it has become the dominant legislative tool.
• The number of co-decision files has increased by 84% over the past fifteen years, and in the 6th term, co-decision files outnumbered consultation files for the first time.

5. Trends for the 7th Term

• The Lisbon Treaty is expected to expand the EP's powers further, particularly in areas like agriculture, fisheries, energy, and immigration policy.
• It also introduces new competences such as tourism, sport, and citizens' initiatives, which the EP can now influence.
• The EP will have new scrutiny powers under the comitology procedure, which began in 2008, and will be able to exercise these more fully during the 7th term.
• The democratic deficit remains a concern, as the balance of power still favours the Council over the Parliament.

Key Information

• Cohesion rates in the EP are measured on a scale from 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating stronger party unity.
• The co-decision procedure is the most significant legislative tool for the EP, allowing it to co-decide with the Council.
• The Lisbon Treaty will further enhance the EP's powers, but the democratic legitimacy of the institution is at risk due to increased bureaucratisation and reduced public engagement.
• The 7th term will see the EP balancing efficiency with politicisation to maintain public interest and legitimacy.

Conclusion

The European Parliament has become more powerful but faces the risk of losing legitimacy due to the increasing dominance of bureaucratic processes over political debate. While the EP has successfully adapted to enlargement and expanded its legislative powers, the trend towards efficiency may come at the cost of democratic engagement. For the 7th term, it is crucial that the EP maintains a more politicised approach to retain public support and ensure the continuity of European integration.