Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament - December 2009

Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament

7th parliamentary term - December 2009

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		CONTENTS
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CONTENTS

Titles

Annexes

TITLE I : MEMBERS, PARLIAMENT BODIES AND POLITICAL GROUPS

CHAPTER 1 : MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Rule 1 :	The European Parliament
Rule 2 :	The independent mandate
Rule 3 :	Verification of credentials
Rule 4 :	Term of office of Members
Rule 5 :	Privileges and immunities
Rule 6 :	Waiver of immunity
Rule 7 :	Procedures on immunity
Rule 8 :	Implementation of the Statute for Members
Rule 9 :	Members' financial interests, standards of conduct and access to Parliament
Rule 10 :	Internal investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Rule 11 :	Observers
CHAPTER 2 : OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENT
Rule 12 :	Provisional Chair
Rule 13 :	Nominations and general provisions
Rule 14 :	Election of President - opening address
Rule 15 :	Election of Vice-Presidents
Rule 16 :	Election of Quaestors
Rule 17 :	Term of office of Officers
Rule 18 :	Vacancies
Rule 19 :	Early termination of an office
CHAPTER 3 : BODIES AND DUTIES
Rule 20 :	Duties of the President
Rule 21 :	Duties of the Vice-Presidents
Rule 22 :	Composition of the Bureau
Rule 23 :	Duties of the Bureau
Rule 24 :	Composition of the Conference of Presidents
Rule 25 :	Duties of the Conference of Presidents
Rule 26 :	Duties of the Quaestors
Rule 27 :	Conference of Committee Chairs
Rule 28 :	Conference of Delegation Chairs
Rule 29 :	Accountability of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents
CHAPTER 4 : POLITICAL GROUPS
Rule 30 :	Formation of political groups
Rule 31 :	Activities and legal situation of the political groups
Rule 32 :	Intergroups
Rule 33 :	Non-attached Members
Rule 34 :	Allocation of seats in the Chamber

TITLE II : LEGISLATIVE, BUDGETARY AND OTHER PROCEDURES

CHAPTER 1 : LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rule 35 :	The Commission's legislative and work programme
Rule 36 :	Respect for the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Rule 37 :	Verification of legal basis
Rule 38 :	Verification of financial compatibility
Rule 38 a :	Examination of respect for the principle of subsidiarity
Rule 39 :	Access to documents and provision of information to Parliament
Rule 40 :	Representation of Parliament in Council meetings
Rule 41 :	Rights of initiative conferred on Parliament by the Treaties
Rule 42 :	Initiative pursuant to Article 225 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
Rule 43 :	Consideration of legislative documents
Rule 44 :	Legislative procedures on initiatives originating from Member States
CHAPTER 2 : PROCEDURE IN COMMITTEE
Rule 45 :	Legislative reports
Rule 46 :	Simplified procedure
Rule 47 :	Non-legislative reports
Rule 48 :	Own-initiative reports
Rule 49 :	Opinions of committees
Rule 50 :	Procedure with associated committees
Rule 51 :	Procedure with joint committee meetings
Rule 52 :	Drafting of reports
CHAPTER 3 : FIRST READING
Committee stage
Rule 53 :	Modification of a proposal for a legislative act
Rule 54 :	Commission and Council position on amendments
Plenary stage
Rule 55 :	Conclusion of first reading
Rule 56 :	Rejection of a Commission proposal
Rule 57 :	Adoption of amendments to a Commission proposal
Follow-up procedure
Rule 58 :	Follow-up to Parliament's position
Rule 59 :	Renewed referral to Parliament
Rule 60 :	Deleted
CHAPTER 4 : SECOND READING
Committee stage
Rule 61 :	Communication of the Council's position
Rule 62 :	Extension of time limits
Rule 63 :	Referral to and procedure in the committee responsible
Plenary stage
Rule 64 :	Conclusion of second reading
Rule 65 :	Rejection of the Council's position
Rule 66 :	Amendments to the Council's position
CHAPTER 5 : THIRD READING
Conciliation
Rule 67 :	Convening of the Conciliation Committee
Rule 68 :	Delegation to the Conciliation Committee
Plenary stage
Rule 69 :	Joint text
CHAPTER 6 : CONCLUSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE
Rule 70 :	Interinstitutional negotiations in legislative procedures
Rule 71 :	First-reading agreement
Rule 72 :	Second-reading agreement
Rule 73 :	Requirements for the drafting of legislative acts
Rule 74 :	Signing of adopted acts
CHAPTER 6 a : CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Rule 74 a :	Ordinary Treaty revision
Rule 74 b :	Simplified Treaty revision
Rule 74 c :	Accession treaties
Rule 74 d :	Withdrawal from the Union
Rule 74 e :	Breach by a Member State of fundamental principles
Rule 74 f :	Composition of Parliament
Rule 74 g :	Enhanced cooperation between Member States
CHAPTER 7 : BUDGETARY PROCEDURES
Rule 75 :	Multiannual financial framework
Rule 75 a :	Working documents
Rule 75 b :	Consideration of the draft budget - first stage
Rule 75 c :	Financial trilogue
Rule 75 d :	Budgetary conciliation
Rule 75 e :	Definitive adoption of the budget
Rule 75 f :	Provisional twelfths system
Rule 76 :	Discharge to the Commission in respect of implementation of the budget
Rule 77 :	Other discharge procedures
Rule 78 :	Parliamentary control over implementation of the budget
CHAPTER 8 : INTERNAL BUDGETARY PROCEDURES
Rule 79 :	Estimates of Parliament
Rule 79 a :	Procedure to be applied when drawing up Parliament’s estimates
Rule 80 :	Power to incur and settle expenditure
CHAPTER 9 : CONSENT PROCEDURE
Rule 81 :	Consent procedure
CHAPTER 10 : Deleted
Rule 82 :	Deleted
CHAPTER 11 : OTHER PROCEDURES
Rule 83 :	Procedure for delivering opinions pursuant to Article 140 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
Rule 84 :	Procedures relating to dialogue between management and labour
Rule 85 :	Procedures for scrutiny of voluntary agreements
Rule 86 :	Codification
Rule 87 :	Recasting
Rule 87 a :	Delegated acts
Rule 88 :	Implementing measures

TITLE II A : EXTERNAL RELATIONS

CHAPTER 12 : INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Rule 89 :	Deleted
Rule 90 :	International agreements
Rule 91 :	Procedures based on Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in the case of the provisional application or suspension of international agreements or the establishment of the Union's position in a body set up by an international agreement
CHAPTER 13 : EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION OF THE UNION AND THE COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY
Rule 92 :	Deleted
Rule 93 :	Special Representatives
Rule 94 :	Deleted
Rule 95 :	International representation
Rule 96 :	Consultation of, and provision of information to, Parliament within the framework of the common foreign and security policy
Rule 97 :	Recommendations within the framework of the common foreign and security policy
Rule 98 :	Breach of human rights
CHAPTER 14 : DELETED
Rule 99 :	Deleted
Rule 100 :	Deleted
Rule 101 :	Deleted
CHAPTER 15 : DELETED
Rule 102 :	Deleted

TITLE III : TRANSPARENCY OF BUSINESS

Rule 103 :	Transparency of Parliament's activities
Rule 104 :	Public access to documents

TITLE IV : RELATIONS WITH OTHER BODIES

CHAPTER 1 : APPOINTMENTS
Rule 105 :	Election of the President of the Commission
Rule 106 :	Election of the Commission
Rule 107 :	Motion of censure on the Commission
Rule 107 a :	Nomination of Judges and Advocates-General at the Court of Justice of the European Union
Rule 108 :	Appointment of the Members of the Court of Auditors
Rule 109 :	Appointment of the Members of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank
CHAPTER 2 : STATEMENTS
Rule 110 :	Statements by the Commission, Council and European Council
Rule 111 :	Statements explaining Commission decisions
Rule 112 :	Statements by the Court of Auditors
Rule 113 :	Statements by the European Central Bank
Rule 114 :	Recommendation on the broad guidelines of economic policies
CHAPTER 3 : QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL, THE COMMISSION AND THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
Rule 115 :	Questions for oral answer with debate
Rule 116 :	Question Time
Rule 117 :	Questions for written answer to the Council or the Commission
Rule 118 :	Questions for written answer to the European Central Bank
CHAPTER 4 : REPORTS OF OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Rule 119 :	Annual and other reports of other institutions
CHAPTER 5 : RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Rule 120 :	Motions for resolutions
Rule 121 :	Recommendations to the Council
Rule 122 :	Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
Rule 123 :	Written declarations
Rule 124 :	Consultation of the European Economic and Social Committee
Rule 125 :	Consultation of the Committee of the Regions
Rule 126 :	Requests to European Agencies
CHAPTER 6 : INTERINSTITUTIONAL AGREEMENTS
Rule 127 :	Interinstitutional agreements
CHAPTER 7 : REFERRALS TO THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Rule 128 :	Proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union
Rule 129 :	Deleted

TITLE V : RELATIONS WITH NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

Rule 130 :	Exchange of information, contacts and reciprocal facilities
Rule 131 :	Conference of European Affairs Committees (COSAC)
Rule 132 :	Conference of Parliaments

TITLE VI : SESSIONS

CHAPTER 1 : SESSIONS OF PARLIAMENT
Rule 133 :	Parliamentary term, sessions, part-sessions, sittings
Rule 134 :	Convening of Parliament
Rule 135 :	Venue of sittings and meetings
Rule 136 :	Attendance of Members at sittings
CHAPTER 2 : ORDER OF BUSINESS OF PARLIAMENT
Rule 137 :	Draft agenda
Rule 138 :	Procedure in plenary without amendment and debate
Rule 139 :	Short presentation
Rule 140 :	Adopting and amending the agenda
Rule 141 :	Extraordinary debate
Rule 142 :	Urgent procedure
Rule 143 :	Joint debate
Rule 144 :	Time limits
CHAPTER 3 : GENERAL RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF SITTINGS
Rule 145 :	Access to the Chamber
Rule 146 :	Languages
Rule 147 :	Transitional arrangement
Rule 148 :	Distribution of documents
Rule 149 :	Allocation of speaking time and list of speakers
Rule 150 :	One-minute speeches
Rule 151 :	Personal statements
CHAPTER 4 : MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
Rule 152 :	Immediate measures
Rule 153 :	Penalties
Rule 154 :	Internal appeal procedures
CHAPTER 5 : QUORUM AND VOTING
Rule 155 :	Quorum
Rule 156 :	Tabling and moving amendments
Rule 157 :	Admissibility of amendments
Rule 158 :	Voting procedure
Rule 159 :	Tied votes
Rule 160 :	Principles governing voting
Rule 161 :	Order of voting on amendments
Rule 162 :	Committee consideration of plenary amendments
Rule 163 :	Split voting
Rule 164 :	Right to vote
Rule 165 :	Voting
Rule 166 :	Final vote
Rule 167 :	Voting by roll call
Rule 168 :	Electronic voting
Rule 169 :	Voting by secret ballot
Rule 170 :	Explanations of vote
Rule 171 :	Disputes on voting
CHAPTER 6 : INTERRUPTIVE AND PROCEDURAL MOTIONS
Rule 172 :	Procedural motions
Rule 173 :	Points of order
Rule 174 :	Moving the inadmissibility of a matter
Rule 175 :	Referral back to committee
Rule 176 :	Closure of a debate
Rule 177 :	Adjournment of a debate and vote
Rule 178 :	Suspension or closure of the sitting
CHAPTER 7 : PUBLIC RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Rule 179 :	Minutes
Rule 180 :	Texts adopted
Rule 181 :	Verbatim reports
Rule 182 :	Audiovisual record of proceedings

TITLE VII : COMMITTEES AND DELEGATIONS

CHAPTER 1 : COMMITTEES - SETTING-UP AND POWERS
Rule 183 :	Setting-up of standing committees
Rule 184 :	Setting-up of special committees
Rule 185 :	Committees of inquiry
Rule 186 :	Composition of committees
Rule 187 :	Substitutes
Rule 188 :	Duties of committees
Rule 189 :	Committee responsible for the verification of credentials
Rule 190 :	Subcommittees
Rule 191 :	Committee bureaux
Rule 192 :	Committee coordinators and shadow rapporteurs
CHAPTER 2 : COMMITTEES - FUNCTIONING
Rule 193 :	Committee meetings
Rule 194 :	Minutes of committee meetings
Rule 195 :	Voting in committee
Rule 196 :	Provisions concerning plenary sittings applicable in committee
Rule 197 :	Question Time in committee
CHAPTER 3 : INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS
Rule 198 :	Setting-up and duties of interparliamentary delegations
Rule 199 :	Cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Rule 200 :	Joint parliamentary committees

TITLE VIII : PETITIONS

Rule 201 :	Right of petition
Rule 202 :	Examination of petitions
Rule 203 :	Notice of petitions

TITLE IX : OMBUDSMAN

Rule 204 :	Election of the Ombudsman
Rule 205 :	Activities of the Ombudsman
Rule 206 :	Dismissal of the Ombudsman

TITLE X : PARLIAMENT'S SECRETARIAT

Rule 207 :

Secretariat

TITLE XI : POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATING TO POLITICAL PARTIES AT EUROPEAN LEVEL

Rule 208 :	Powers and responsibilities of the President
Rule 209 :	Powers and responsibilities of the Bureau
Rule 210 :	Powers and responsibilities of the committee responsible and of Parliament’s plenary

TITLE XII : APPLICATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rule 211 :	Application of the Rules of Procedure
Rule 212 :	Amendment of the Rules of Procedure

TITLE XIII : MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Rule 213 :	The symbols of the Union
Rule 214 :	Unfinished business
Rule 215 :	Arrangement of annexes
Rule 216 :	Corrigenda

ANNEX I

Provisions governing the application of Rule 9(1) - Transparency and Members' financial interests

ANNEX II

Conduct of Question Time under Rule 116

ANNEX III

Guidelines for questions for written answer under Rules 117 and 118

ANNEX IV

Guidelines and general principles to be followed when choosing the subjects to be included on the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law provided for under Rule 122

ANNEX V

Deleted

ANNEX VI

Procedure for the consideration and adoption of decisions on the granting of discharge

ANNEX VII

Powers and responsibilities of standing committees
I. :	Committee on Foreign Affairs
II. :	Committee on Development
III. :	Committee on International Trade
IV. :	Committee on Budgets
V. :	Committee on Budgetary Control
VI. :	Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
VII. :	Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
VIII. :	Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
IX. :	Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
X. :	Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
XI. :	Committee on Transport and Tourism
XII. :	Committee on Regional Development
XIII. :	Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
XIV. :	Committee on Fisheries
XV. :	Committee on Culture and Education
XVI. :	Committee on Legal Affairs
XVII. :	Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
XVIII. :	Committee on Constitutional Affairs
XIX. :	Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
XX. :	Committee on Petitions