About: national parliaments
Left-right ideological divide remains relevant in Western Europe
Despite the rise of populist parties, right-left division remains relevant, particularly on issues such as immigration and the role of the government, according to a study by the American think tank The Pew Research Centre. EURACTIV.fr reports.
The intergovernmental drift has weakened the EU, says Parliament’s VP
The Lisbon Treaty paradox, under which more power was given to the European Parliament, but EU leaders have gained in prominence, has undermined Europe and paved the way for growing Euroscepticism, said European Parliament Vice-president, Isabelle Durant, in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV.
European Parliament plans for 2025
The European Parliament must think long-term and take bold decisions to incorporate ‘change’ in its organisational culture, said its Secretary-General Klaus Welle, in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV.
Giscard: Europe needs a people’s congress
EU leaders are too focused on the short term of upcoming elections and lack a strategic vision to give new impetus to European integration and better connect with citizens, said Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in an interview with EURACTIV.
Buzek: Freezing the EU budget is ‘very dangerous’
Freezing the European Union's budget as demanded by some countries would be "very dangerous" as the EU needs greater investments to overcome the economic crisis, said European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV.
European Parliament wants to be hub for national MPs
Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which grants EU parliaments a bigger say in Brussels policymaking, MEPs are set to intensify work with national assemblies' committees, said European Parliament Vice-President Silvana Koch-Mehrin in an interview with EURACTIV.
Irish parliament seeks greater EU scrutiny powers
Taking their cue from the Lisbon Treaty, Irish MPs this month called for new scrutiny powers compelling the Dublin government to take their views into account before agreeing to new EU legislation.
National parliaments debate EU’s future regional policy
National and EU parliamentarians meeting in Brussels earlier this week (12-13 July) held a debate on the future of European regional policy, resulting in many opinions including a call for the European Social Fund to remain under regional policy control.
Experts seek to lift taboo on European budget
While EU finance ministers squabble over European Commission demands that national governments must send their budgets to the EU executive for review before they are sent to national parliaments, MEPs and experts have drawn up strategic proposals to create the momentum for a political debate on the EU budget.
Parliaments debate closer budgetary coordination
The unprecedented crisis that has hit the euro zone calls for better budgetary coordination and national parliaments have a big role to play here, said MPs and MEPs meeting in Brussels to discuss greater synergies between European and national budgets.
Treaty opens EU door to national parliaments
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso sent a letter to the speakers of the EU 27's national parliaments this week, informing them of their increased powers under the Lisbon Treaty, EURACTIV has learned.
Voting at shopping centres ‘saved’ election turnout
As the dust settles on the European Parliament elections, EU officials and experts do not seem to be overly concerned by the low turnout, instead stressing the lessons learned from positive experiences like allowing people to vote in railway stations and shopping centres, and over the Internet.
National parliaments seek to bridge EU democratic gap
Speakers of national parliaments from across the 27-member bloc have echoed an EU summit decision last week to carry on with the Lisbon Treaty ratification process and give the chance to all countries to express their views. EURACTIV spoke to Bernard Accoyer, the president of the French 'Assemblée Nationale'.