The first paragraph of Article 197 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC) as well as the future(?) Lisbon Treaty Article 14(4) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) let the European Parliament decide freely on most of its internal organisation. Rules of Procedure The main text in this respect is the Rules of Procedure (16th edition, October 2008), available at: *** Group and stren...

They still call it the 16th edition, but the latest version of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure has now been updated to March 2009. It is available on the web pages of the European Parliament: For researchers and students, at least, it would be an improvement if the Rules of Procedures had references to the original decision and the amendments. Work is under way to amend the Rule...

Tough new rules restricting bankers' bonuses in Europe were approved by European Union lawmakers as part of a package which sets out how much capital banks must hold to support their operations

Within the treaty framework, the European Parliament adopts and amends its Rules of Procedure, without binding the other institutions or third parties. The Rules of Procedure regulate the main part of decision-making and procedures within the European Parliament. Clearer references to the version in force and amendments, as well as when they enter into force and possibly lapse, could be recommende...

The “institutional triangle” of the European Union ─ the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament ─ needs internal cooperation to function properly. The treaties define the competences of the European Union (European Community) as a whole and assign the roles to the players, but much of their interaction is left unregulated at this level. The institutions have therefore ...

What happens if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, when the European Parliament has been elected under the modified Nice Treaty rules? Here are some suggestion for discussion. *** On 4 to 7 June 2009 the citizens of the European Union elect the members of the European Parliament for the term from 2009 to 2014 according to the Treaty of Nice as amended by the 2003 Act of Accession. The total numb...

During the coming days and weeks, the existing political groups in the European Parliament and various national parties with elected members of the EP negotiate to form the political groups, which are central to parliamentary work. As always, knowledge of the rules is a key element for an appreciation of the game, is sports as well as in politics. The European Parliament has amended its Rules of P...

This is an axample of the so called co-decision procedure, according to Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC), when the European Parliament has proposed amendments to the common position of the Council of the European Union. The EP amendments require an absolute majority of the component members (one of the reasons why the European Parliament needs to find consensus s...

What can EU law teach us about the powers of the European Parliament to investigate alleged contraventions or maladministration of European Community (European Union) law? We look at the current treaty provisions, the Treaty of Lisbon, detailed provisions, internal EP rules and a few examples of inquiries. *** Current treaty Article 193 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC) fores...

The Treaty of Lisbon would formally make the European Council into one of the institutions of the European Union. Article 13 of the amended Treaty on European Union (TEU) mentions the European Council right after the European Parliament, and Article 15 TEU contains the main provisions on its tasks, membership and President. This leads to other changes at treaty level and below. *** Current treaty ...