EU ParliamentsTo Get More Say On New Laws

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

20 June 2006

It emerged last week that national parliaments are set to have a greater say with regard to new European legislation, following the Council of the European Union's acceptance of a proposal put forward by the European Commission.

In a document detailing the conclusions reached at last week's Council meeting, it was announced that:

"The European Council notes the inter-dependence of the European and national legislative processes. It therefore welcomes the Commission's commitment to make all new proposals and consultation papers directly available to national parliaments, inviting them to react so as to improve the process of policy formulation."

"The Commission is asked to duly consider comments by national parliaments – in particular with regard to the subsidiarity and proportionality principles. National parliaments are encouraged to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Conference of European Affairs Committees (COSAC) when monitoring subsidiarity."

The move has been welcomed by some, but according to reports in the European media, the provision in question has been somewhat watered down, in response to concerns that Brussels' law-making capacity could be paralysed by individual member states.

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