European Parliament is one of the main organs of European Union. European Parliament began life as the Common Assembly of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1952. Common Assembly was not central to the plans for European Unification. It was given limited and specific responsibilities.

It could discuss policies, and scrutinize their execution. However, it was not in decision making process. But it could only issue opinions to which other institutions were not compelled to respond. In 1962 Common Assembly was renamed as European Parliament. Till 1979 election, Assembly’s membership was not directly elected by voters, people in other words all members of Parliament were sent by the national parliaments. The first Common Assembly was consisted of 78 nominated national parliamentarians from six ECSC countries. Together with the increase on the number of member countries, today EP comprised 732 elected MEP (members of EP). With the participation of Bulgaria and Romania to EU, in 2009 new elections 785 MEP of EP will be elected from 27 member countries. There are 7 political groups in structure of European Parliament. The largest group is European People’s Party that comprises Christian Democrats and Conservatives and it is accepted on centre-right line. Party of European Socialists is the second largest political group and it is on the centre-left line. The other groups are Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (Liberals), European United Left (Left-wing group), Greens (Environmentalist and some Regionalists), Independence/Democracy Group (anti-EU) and Europe of Nations (generally eurosceptic right-wing). European Parliament has two capital meeting cities. In France, Strasbourg serves for plenary session and is official centre. In Belgium, Brussels serves for preparatory meetings and complementary non plenary session. Parliament’s administrative body is based on Luxembourg.

The Powers of European Union

Before  Maastricht  Agreement  1992, European Parliament was consultative body. Since the 1970s, treaty amendments and institutional agreements increased the power of European Parliament. First step on EU (European Union) strengthened is the right  that  provides  greater budgetary powers. Henceforth EP could propose modification to planned ‘compulsory’ spending, and  insist  on amendments to ‘non-compulsory’ spending, and could reject the budget. Single European Act (SEA 1986) has started  the  process of  majority voting of  EP for  the acceptance  of  a  new  member country  to  EU or  for  an association agreement or trade agreement with a non member state. Also, Single  European Act gave the right to propose amendments to  draft  legislation, or  to issue  a veto on  pieces of  legislation  that  could  be over turned only  by unanimous Council of Ministers.  EP’s powers over the Commission were enhanced by Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties which first gave chamber veto  power over new Commission nominated by national governments. With Maastricht Treaty 1992, Co-decision procedure power  is  given  to EP  for some legislation, besides  EP  can  set  up an inquiry committee  in  the  EU and EP can veto any appointments  to  Commission. With  Amsterdam  Treaty, co-decision  procedure  slightly  was  altered  in  EP’s  favour  and extended  to  further  areas of EU laws. Also, EP has right to veto nominee for situation of Commission President. Today, EP and Council of Ministers form the highest legislative body within European Union.

Internal Politics of the European Parliament

European  Parliament  has  well-established  system of  permanent  committees. These committees cover most areas of EU policy, and  individual  committees undertake both legislative work and oversight activity in their area of responsibility. Many committees contain considerable expertise on their subject matter within their membership, and the committee system as a whole  is  widely  regarded  as  the  place  where  the bulk of  the  serious  work of  the  Parliament is done. Foreign Affairs, International  Trade, Budgets, Regional  Development  are  some  several of  the  committees of  the 2004-2009 European Parliament.

Şevket Cihan Durukan

Doğu Akdeniz Üniversitesi

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