European Parliament as an independent actor in EU affairs Essay

European fantan as an independent actor in EU affairs - Essay ExampleThe fan tan has been given greater powers by various treaties, which came in through extensions in ordinary legislative procedures.In December 2009, the Lisbon accordancecame into force, which linked the Commissions presidential election to that of the EP elections. At the uniform time, the Lisbon treaty also authorised the European Parliament with complete control over theEU budget, thus turning thelegislative powersof the parliament in equal standing to that of the Council of the European Union (Europa, A Constitution for Europe, nd). Since the Lisbon Treaty, almost all decisions inside the EU must be made with the liberty of European Parliament (EP). Since the EP is the only body within theEU that is directly elected, it represents allcitizens of the EU phallus states. However, despite its enhanced powers over the legislation and budgetary processes of the EU, a closer analysis reveals that the European Parl iament lacks political freedom and it does not have an adequate access to the citizens, which must necessarily change to light upon it an independent actor within EU affairs. Discussion The enhanced role of the European parliament The European Parliament is the most democratic body within the EU, as the citizens of the EU directly elect its members. various treaties, over the years, have give greater powers to this institution in order to bring democracy within the EU. Owing to these changes, the EU has evolved from macrocosm a mere body for consultations to an important decision making body, as regards framing the EU laws and budget (under articles 14.1 and 16.1). Initially, the EPs activities were limited to providing nonbinding viewpoints through consultation. It started... The European Parliament is the most democratic body within the EU, as the citizens of the EU directly elect its members. Various treaties, over the years, have granted greater powers to this institution i n order to bring democracy within the EU. Owing to these changes, the EU has evolved from being a mere body for consultations to an important decision making body.Initially, the EPs activities were limited to providing nonbinding viewpoints through consultation. It started gaining to a greater extent power, in regard of influencing the EU legislation, through the cooperation procedure provided in the 1986 Single European Act. The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 brought in the co-decision procedure that significantly increased EPs power to affect EUs legislative procedures in some arenas, especially the ones linked to the common domestic market of the EU (Europa, 2010). The Council of Ministers and the EP share powers of legislation and check to the co-decision procedure, both the EP and the Council must approve all Commission proposals for it to become a law while employ co-decision, the EP has the authority to change, remove or accept any proposed legislation. More power was accorded t o the EP by the Amsterdam Treaty (1997) that increased the scope of use of co-decision to various other policies such as social policies, environmental policies amongst many another(prenominal) more. As the decisions making processes of the Council of Ministers are subject to an intricate system of majority voting instead of consensus.