Flashcards on Internal Organization of the European Parliament

Internal Organization of the European Parliament Explained

1 / 43

What primary functions do parliamentary committees perform in the European Parliament?

Draft amendments to legislation, scrutinise work of other EU bodies, and organise public hearings and debates on pressing issues.

Spacebar to flip · Arrows to navigate

Tap to flip · Swipe to navigate

Committees

43 cards

Question: What primary functions do parliamentary committees perform in the European Parliament?

Answer: Draft amendments to legislation, scrutinise work of other EU bodies, and organise public hearings and debates on pressing issues.

Question: How did the role of committees change after the first direct elections in 1979?

Answer: They were significantly expanded (from seven to 16) and became the 'backbone' of the Parliament, taking on most of its work.

Question: How many standing parliamentary committees have there been since 1999 and what is the typical membership range?

Answer: Since 1999 there have been 20 parliamentary committees with membership ranging from 25 to 71 MEPs.

Question: How should committee membership reflect the Parliament, and who nominates members and substitutes?

Answer: Committees should reflect the composition of Parliament as a whole, and political groups nominate members and their substitutes.

Question: What is the usual committee service pattern for most MEPs?

Answer: Most MEPs serve as a full member in one committee and as a substitute in a second committee.

Question: What rights do substitutes have when replacing another member in a committee?

Answer: Substitutes have full voting and speaking rights when replacing a member and can also serve as rapporteurs.

Question: Which two committees focus on institutional matters within the European Parliament?

Answer: The Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) and the Petitions Committee (PETI).

Question: What are the main responsibilities of AFCO and PETI?

Answer: AFCO regulates the internal organisation of the Parliament; PETI examines problems and questions brought to Parliament by EU citizens.

Question: How often do committee sittings typically take place and where?

Answer: Committee sittings take place once or twice a month in Brussels.

Question: What outputs are typically produced during committee sittings?

Answer: Legislative, budgetary and own-initiative reports are drafted, amended or adopted during committee sittings.

Other materials