MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties

6.6.2022 - (2022/2705(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statements by the Council and the Commission
pursuant to Rule 132(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Gabriele Bischoff
on behalf of the S&D Group
Guy Verhofstadt
on behalf of the Renew Group
Daniel Freund
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Helmut Scholz

Amendments

• 001-004 (PDF - 103 KB)
• 001-004 (DOC - 56 KB)
• 005-005 (PDF - 96 KB)
• 005-005 (DOC - 52 KB)
• 006-015 (PDF - 117 KB)
• 006-015 (DOC - 68 KB)
• 016-025 (PDF - 122 KB)
• 016-025 (DOC - 68 KB)
• 026-031 (PDF - 116 KB)
• 026-031 (DOC - 63 KB)
• 032-036 (PDF - 117 KB)
• 032-036 (DOC - 61 KB)
• 037-037 (PDF - 95 KB)
• 037-037 (DOC - 53 KB)
• 038-039 (PDF - 121 KB)
• 038-039 (DOC - 60 KB)

B9‑0307/2022

European Parliament resolution on the call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties

(2022/2705(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),

⎯ having regard to the report of 9 May 2022 on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe (the Conference),

⎯ having regard to its resolution of 4 May 2022 on the follow-up to the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe[1],

⎯ having regard to its resolutions of 16 February 2017 on possible evolutions of and adjustments to the current institutional set-up of the European Union[2] and of 13 February 2019 on the state of the debate on the future of Europe[3],

– having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the current version of the Treaties entered into force on 1 December 2009 and whereas the European Union has faced several crises and unprecedented challenges since;

B. whereas on 9 May 2022 the Conference finished its work and presented its conclusions, which contain 49 proposals and 326 measures;

C. whereas in addition to legislative proposals, the opening of a process of institutional reforms is needed in order to implement the recommendations and meet the expectations of this citizens’ participation process;

D. whereas new policies and, in some cases, Treaty amendments, are necessary not as a means in themselves, but in the interests of all EU citizens, as they aim to reshape the EU in a way that will enhance its capacity to act, as well as its democratic legitimacy and accountability;

1. Welcomes the conclusions of the Conference of 9 May 2022;

2. Points out that in line with the founding text of the Conference, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have committed to following up effectively on the conclusions of the Conference, each within the remit of their competences and in accordance with the Treaties;

3. Notes that several of the Conference proposals require amendments to the Treaties, and that Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs shall prepare proposals for Treaty amendments accordingly;

4. Points out, especially following the most recent crises, that the Treaties need to be amended urgently to make sure the Union has the competence to take more effective action during future crises;

5. Submits to the Council under the ordinary revision procedure laid down in Article 48 TEU, for those reasons, the following proposals for the amendment of the Treaties, inter alia:

to enhance the Union’s capacity to act by reforming voting procedures, including allowing decisions in the Council by qualified majority voting instead of unanimity in relevant areas, such as the adoption of sanctions and so-called passerelle clauses, and in the event of an emergency;

to adapt the competences conferred on the Union in the Treaties, especially in the areas of health, energy, defence and social and economic policies, the latter with a view to strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the EU economy, with special attention paid to small and medium-sized enterprises and competitiveness checks, ensuring the European Pillar of Social Rights is fully implemented, introducing a social progress protocol and promoting future-oriented investments focused on the just, green and digital transitions;

to provide Parliament with full co-decision rights on the EU budget, and with the right to initiate, amend or repeal legislation;

to strengthen the procedure for the protection of the values the EU is founded on and to clarify the determination and consequences of breaches of fundamental values (Article 7 TEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union);

to introduce provisions enabling the enhancement of common security and defence policies in Articles 42 to 46 TEU, in particular the joint procurement of defence equipment;

to strengthen the principle of conferral and the principle of subsidiarity in Articles 4 and 5 TEU, where necessary;

6. Proposes more specifically that the following Treaty articles be amended as follows:

Article 29 TEU

 

“The Council shall adopt decisions which shall define the approach of the Union to a particular matter of a geographical or thematic nature. Where a decision provides for the interruption or reduction, in part or completely, of economic and financial relations with one or more third countries, the Council shall act by a qualified majority. Member States shall ensure that their national policies conform to the Union positions.”

Article 48(7), fourth subparagraph, TEU

“For the adoption of these decisions, the European Council shall act by a qualified majority as defined in Article 238(3), point (b), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, which shall be given by a majority of its component members.”

Article 4(2), point (k), TFEU

 

“(k) ▌public health matters, and the protection and improvement of human health, especially regarding cross-border health threats.”

Article 9 TFEU

 

“In defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union shall implement social progress, as anchored in a Social Progress Protocol, to ensure that social rights are protected and safeguarded.

 

The Union shall take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.”

Article 194 TFEU

“1. In the context of the establishment and functioning of the internal market and with regard for the need to preserve and improve the environment, the common energy policy of the Union shall aim, in a spirit of solidarity between Member States, to:

(a) ensure the functioning of the energy market;

(b) ensure security of energy supply in the Union;

(c) ensure energy efficiency and energy saving and the development of new and renewable forms of energy in order to achieve an energy system based on energy efficiency and renewable energies;

(d) promote the interconnection of energy networks; and

(e) design the overall energy system in line with international agreements to mitigate climate change.

 

2. Without prejudice to the application of other provisions of the Treaties, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish the measures necessary to achieve the objectives in paragraph 1. Such measures shall be adopted after consultation of the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

Where such measures may affect a Member State’s determination of the conditions for exploiting its energy resources, its choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply, the European Parliament shall act by a majority of its component Members and the Council shall act by a qualified majority.

▌”

7. Calls on the Council to submit these proposals directly to the European Council for examination, with a view to convening a Convention composed of representatives of the national parliaments, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, Parliament and the Commission;

8. Believes that representatives of the EU’s social partners, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, EU civil society and candidate countries should be invited as observers to the Convention;

9. Instructs its President to transmit this resolution to the Council and to forward it to the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

 

• [1] Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0141.
• [2] OJ C 252, 18.7.2018, p. 201.
• [3] OJ C 449, 23.12.2020, p. 90.