European Parliament Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Press release - EU Treaties reform: MEPs submit proposals to strengthen EU capacity to act

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

The report comprising draft changes to the Treaties was endorsed by MEPs on Wednesday with 19 votes for, six against, one abstention.

Key Points: 
  • The report comprising draft changes to the Treaties was endorsed by MEPs on Wednesday with 19 votes for, six against, one abstention.
  • MEPs reiterate their call to amend the EU Treaties and ask the Council to “immediately and without deliberation submit the proposals [...] to the European Council”, so that a Convention can be set up.
  • Institutional reforms and a mechanism for EU-wide referendums
    MEPs call for a more bicameral system that would strengthen Parliament’s role and change voting mechanisms in the Council.
  • Next steps
    The report is set to be voted on by all MEPs during the 20 - 23 November plenary session.

Press release - European elections 2024: MEPs’ proposals for the lead candidate system

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

They regret that recently proposed innovations for mobile citizens will not be applied in time for next year’s elections, as well as restrictions preventing European political parties from fully participating in European election campaigns.

Key Points: 
  • They regret that recently proposed innovations for mobile citizens will not be applied in time for next year’s elections, as well as restrictions preventing European political parties from fully participating in European election campaigns.
  • The report demands that democratic standards be applied when candidates are being nominated, including lead candidates for President of the European Commission.
  • The lead candidate system in 2024
    MEPs complain that the lead candidate system to elect the European Commission President was not applied in 2019 and insist that a clear and credible link between voters’ choice and this position is needed.
  • The lead candidate of the European political party with the most seats in Parliament should lead in the first round of negotiations, with Parliament’s President steering the process if needed.

Press release - Reforming the Union's electoral system: EU and national parliamentarians discuss proposals

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 25, 2023

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Affairs Committee is inviting national MPs to assess Parliament’s proposed revision of the rules on European elections.

Key Points: 
  • On Wednesday, the Constitutional Affairs Committee is inviting national MPs to assess Parliament’s proposed revision of the rules on European elections.
  • They will also discuss the views already provided by national parliaments, in anticipation of progress in the Council.
  • When: Wednesday 26 April 2023, 15.30 – 18.30 CEST
    Where: European Parliament in Brussels, József Antall building room 4G1, with remote participation.
  • For more information, you can download the agenda of the meeting, see the complete list of participants, or go to the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting webpage.

REPORT on amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning Rule 7 on defence of privileges and immunity and Rule 9 on procedures on immunity - A9-0001/2023

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 16, 2023

Decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as shown below;

Key Points: 
  • Decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as shown below;
    2.
  • Decides that the amendments shall enter into force on the day following their adoption;
    3.
  • Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and the Commission, for information.
  • Amendment 1
    Parliament's Rules of Procedure
    Rule 7 – paragraph 1
    Present text
    Amendment
    1.
  • Amendment 2
    Parliament's Rules of Procedure
    Rule 9 – paragraph 1
    Present text
    Amendment
    1.
  • Any inquiry as to the scope of Members' privileges or immunities made by a competent authority shall be dealt with in accordance with the above rules.
  • Since the Rules of Procedure do not provide for this possibility, they must be aligned with that provision.
  • With regard to the request for lifting the immunity, the European Chief Prosecutor needs to be included into the relevant provisions of Rule 9, which is the objective of amendments 2 to 6.
  • However, amendments 1 and 7 have a broader scope, since they deal with a possible infringement of Members’ immunities and an inquiry on the scope of Members' immunities.
  • For those two amendments, a more general reference to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office thus seems to be appropriate.

Latest news - Next AFCO Committee Meeting on 2 September 2021 - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, July 25, 2021

The current precautionary measures do not affect work on legislative priorities.

Key Points: 
  • The current precautionary measures do not affect work on legislative priorities.
  • Core activities are maintained to ensure the smooth running of the institution's legislative, budgetary, and scrutiny functions.
  • The next AFCO committee meeting is scheduled for 2 September 2021 at 13:45 - 16:45.
  • The meeting will be held in Brussels and via video-conference, allowing Members to view and listen to proceedings, ask for the floor, and intervene.

Highlights - Vote on the General budget of the EU for 2022 - all sections - 14 July 2021 - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 13, 2021

AFCO will vote on the three budgetary amendments to the EU 2022 budget proposed by the Chair and AFCO's rapporteur for the 2022 budget Antonio Tajani and four proposals for Pilot Projects in form of budgetary amendments tabled by the AFCO Members.

Key Points: 

AFCO will vote on the three budgetary amendments to the EU 2022 budget proposed by the Chair and AFCO's rapporteur for the 2022 budget Antonio Tajani and four proposals for Pilot Projects in form of budgetary amendments tabled by the AFCO Members.

Highlights - Presentation of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council’s Programme - 14 July 2021 - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 13, 2021

In keeping with the custom of inviting the incoming presidency, AFCO members will hear the presentation of the programme of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, in as far as AFCO competences are concerned, by Mr. Anže LOGAR, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. A debate will follow.

Key Points: 

In keeping with the custom of inviting the incoming presidency, AFCO members will hear the presentation of the programme of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, in as far as AFCO competences are concerned, by Mr. Anže LOGAR, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. A debate will follow.

Highlights - AFCO vote on guidelines for the application of the general regime of conditionality - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 25, 2021

On 22 June 2021, AFCO will vote on its opinion in form of a letter prepared for the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control report on the creation of guidelines for the application of the general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget.

Key Points: 
  • On 22 June 2021, AFCO will vote on its opinion in form of a letter prepared for the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control report on the creation of guidelines for the application of the general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget.
  • The report makes suggestions with regard to the guidelines for the application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget, which the Commission intends to develop.
  • In its opinion AFCO also calls on the Conference on the Future of Europe to reflect on the current EU architecture concerning safeguarding of the art 2 TUE values in view to present ideas which will strengthen the EU's rule of law toolbox.

Highlights - AFCO vote on amendments to Parliament's Rules of Procedure - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 25, 2021

On 22 June 2021, AFCO will vote on the amendments proposed in the draft report, as well as eight amendments tabled to the draft report on amendments to Parliament's Rules of Procedure by Ms. Gabrilele Bischoff (S&D).

Key Points: 
  • On 22 June 2021, AFCO will vote on the amendments proposed in the draft report, as well as eight amendments tabled to the draft report on amendments to Parliament's Rules of Procedure by Ms. Gabrilele Bischoff (S&D).
  • Ms. Bischoff proposes a set of changes as regards Rules 99 (Discharge to the Commission in respect of implementation of the budget), 222 (Public hearings and debates on citizens' initiatives), 230 (Citizens' initiative), 235 (Powers and responsibilities relating to European political parties and European political foundations) and Annex V (Procedure for the consideration and adoption of decisions on the granting of discharge).
  • Here, references to legislation in force are being updated.
  • Modifications to Rule 197 (Motions calling for a matter to be declared inadmissible): deletion, and Rules 213 (Committee bureaux) and 223 (Setting-up and duties of interparliamentary delegations), concern the reinforcement of the requirements in terms of gender parity and diversity in the Member State of election, as well as the duration of the mandate of the delegation bureaux.

Highlights - Public Hearing on Legislative Power in the EU - 15 June 2021 - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 8, 2021

During this hearing, AFCO members will reflect on the current legislative process in the EU and on means for improving it.

Key Points: 
  • During this hearing, AFCO members will reflect on the current legislative process in the EU and on means for improving it.
  • Among the issues that AFCO members will debate are Parliament's right of initiative, 'passerelle' clauses for extending the application of the ordinary legislative procedure and qualified majority voting, the transparency in the Council's working methods as legislator and the functioning of the different types of legislative procedures.