Parliament set to demand a fully-fledged right to initiate legislation
MEPs are expected to propose a revision of the EU’s legislative process to strengthen democracy by giving the right of direct initiative to the Parliament.
The draft report, to be debated on Wednesday and put to the vote on Thursday, highlights that it is high time Parliament was given a “general and direct” right to initiate legislation. This would reflect the evolution of the EU and restore balance to its institutional architecture - when the Treaties are next revised.
MEPs argue that the Council and the Commission have hampered Parliament’s existing, indirect right of initiative and point to the Council’s stance when Parliament activated the Article 7 procedure and the lack of proper response to their proposal for a comprehensive EU values mechanism, among other instances.
The right to initiate legislation is reserved almost entirely for the European Commission, while both the Council and the Parliament have an indirect right of initiative. The Treaties grant Parliament a direct right of initiative only in specific cases, for example on rules relating to its own composition, European elections, and the duties of MEPs.
Procedure Code: 2020/2132(INI)
Procedure: non-legislative resolution
Debate: Wednesday, 8 June 2022
Vote: Thursday, 9 June 2022