European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Historical Archives
Jacques Delors: Architect of the modern European Union
The consensus among most historians of European integration and political scientists is that Jacques Delors, who served as President of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, was the most successful holder of that post to date. His agenda and accomplishments include the EU single market, the Single European Act, Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the rapid integration of the former German Democratic Republic into the European Community. His combination of coherent agenda-setting and strong negotiating skills, acquired through long experience of trade union bargaining and years of ministerial responsibilities in turbulent times, puts Delors above other Commission Presidents, whether in terms of institutional innovation or the development of new Europe-wide policies. He also showed himself able to react swiftly to external events, notably the collapse of the Soviet bloc, whilst building Europe’s credibility on the international stage. This Briefing records Delors’ life across its crucial stages, from trade union activist, senior civil servant, French politician, and Member of the European Parliament, to the helm of the European Commission, where he left the greatest individual impact on European integration history to date. It also traces the most important ideas that guided Delors in his national and European roles. Finally, it describes the political events and key actors which made Delors’ decade in office a time of important decisions and progress in the process of European integration and, in doing so, it draws on recent academic literature and on speeches Delors gave in the European Parliament. Continue reading
European Parliament and the path to German reunification
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, set in motion by the events of 9 November 1989, which led to Germany’s full reunification within less than a year. Continue reading
Political Groups in the European Parliament: A historical perspective
Taking a variety of shapes and forms, European transnational party cooperation is a unique international phenomenon. This is true of transnational party cooperation both outside and within the European Parliament. Continue reading
European elections: A historical perspective
Between 23 and 26 May 2019, 427 million European Union (EU) citizens had the opportunity to vote for Members of the European Parliament. This was the ninth time that EU citizens could vote directly for the policy- and decision-makers who will represent them in EU politics. Continue reading
Major sporting events versus human rights
On 14 June 2018, the 21st FIFA World Cup opens with the Russia versus Saudi Arabia match in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow – the first time that Russia hosts what is the most important tournament for national football teams. Continue reading
The political impact of the European Parliament in the 1980s
Written by Christian Salm, Research on the history of the EU has mainly covered the impact of the nation states and their governments on the European integration process. Consequently, historical research on the role of the EU’s supranational institutions has been neglected. There are only a few exceptions where historical studies reconstruct the influence of … Continue reading
The Rome Treaties: towards an ‘Ever Closer Union’
Written by EPRS Historical Archives ‘World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it’. These words, pronounced by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950, illustrate the underlying message of the Schuman Declaration, in a Europe left ravaged by two world wars and determined to avoid further conflict … Continue reading
Impact of the ECSC Common Assembly on the politics, negotiation and content of the Rome Treaties
Written by Christian Salm, As the historical framework for the present-day European Union (EU), the Treaties of Rome, signed in March 1957 and establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom), are among the most important treaties of the European integration process. The failure to set up a … Continue reading
1976 Electoral Act 40 years on: History and significance for European democracy today
Written by Wilhelm Lehmann, On 7 December, the European Parliament and the European University Institute held a joint history roundtable on the occasion of the 40 year anniversary of the 1976 Electoral Act, which introduced direct elections to the European Parliament. The event, organised by the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, took place in … Continue reading
The role of Altiero Spinelli on the path towards European Union
On 14 February 1984, the European Parliament debated and adopted the draft ‘Treaty establishing the European Union’.Now, 30 years on, Spinelli and the draft treaty he championed are considered to be key elements in the European Union’s integration process. Continue reading
The first hemicycle of the European Parliament: Schuman Building, Luxembourg
Written by Francesca Davanzo, The Schuman Building Since 1973, the Schuman Building has been home to a number of departments of the European Parliament’s Secretariat. In spite of its austere look and administrative nature, it houses the first hemicycle (debating chamber) that was designed and built for the plenary sittings of the European Parliament. Even … Continue reading
L’impact de la Communauté européenne du charbon et de l’acier (CECA) sur le Luxembourg et la construction européenne
Écrit par Iolanda Mombelli, “L’impact de la Communauté européenne du charbon et de l’acier (CECA) sur le Luxembourg et la construction européenne” et l’histoire des pouvoirs et de la politique budgétaire du Parlement européen (PE) étaient au cœur des discussions de la table ronde organisée le 26 novembre 2015 dans l’ancien hémicycle du Parlement à … Continue reading
The History of European electoral reform and the European Elections Act
Written by Wilhelm Lehmann Next year, the entry into force of the Electoral Act (or Act Concerning the Election of the Representatives of the European Parliament by Direct Universal Suffrage in full), will mark its 40th anniversary. The Act laid the legal foundation for holding the first direct elections to the European Parliament, in June … Continue reading
The 1995 enlargement of the European Union: The accession of Finland and Sweden
Written by Edward Whitfield, This year, Finland and Sweden celebrate the 20th anniversary of their accession to the European Union, as does Austria. This study is an examination of the events that surrounded this enlargement from the specific viewpoint of the first two countries, both Nordic states. The examination takes into account the relevant pressures … Continue reading
The Historical Archives: European Union history and European Parliament history
Written by Isabel Saavedra As official record keeper of the European Parliament, the Historical Archives hold a wealth of historical documents spanning from the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community Assembly in 1952, to the present. These documents include official EP texts (adopted reports and resolutions, parliamentary questions, and debates), and also the … Continue reading
Launch of the Historical Archives of the European Parliament website
Written by Alexandra Devantier and Tessa Tumbrägel Interested in historical information about the European Parliament? Whether you are a researcher or simply curious, the Parliament’s historical archives can be now found on a new dedicated website within the Europarl portal. This new website presents the richness of the European Parliament holdings, illustrated with samples of … Continue reading
History of budgetary powers in the EU. Part I: European Coal and Steel Community 1952-2002
Written by Alfredo De Feo This study, the first part of a wider analysis on the European Parliament’s role in EU budgetary powers, traces the very first phase of interinstitutional relations in the framework of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The study is part of a joint research project between the European University … Continue reading
A stepping stone towards gender equality: the Ad Hoc Committee on Women’s Rights 1979-1981
Written by Claudia Touceira The European Parliament has a long history of interest and involvement in women’s rights and gender equality. As early as 1957, the Treaty of Rome included the principle of equal pay for male and female workers (Art. 119 : Each Member State shall during the first stage ensure and subsequently maintain the … Continue reading
25 years of democratic change in Central and Eastern Europe: The European Parliament and the end of the Cold War
Written by Iolanda Mombelli A roundtable discussion was organised on 3 February 2015 in the Library Reading Room, with the participation of distinguished guests Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission and former Prime Minister of Latvia from 2009 to 2014, Enrique Barón Crespo, President of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1992, Hans-Gert Pöttering, … Continue reading
Democratic Change in Central and Eastern Europe 1989-90; the European Parliament and the end of the Cold War
In November 1989 the Berlin Wall came down. The disappearance of the most visible symbol of the Cold War was a turning point in post-war history and marked the beginning of a new era in Europe. Countries separated for decades by the Iron Curtain began to prepare for the transition to democracy and accession to … Continue reading
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